KUALA LUMPUR - No one persuaded me to not run for the Umno Youth chief post, the party's Melaka youth deputy chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said.
Muhammad elaborated that after a discussion held with several party members from the state, everyone had agreed to pick Umno Youth secretary-general Datuk Hasmuni Hassan as the candidate for the post.
"The decision was made in a joint meeting with friends. Each member has their own strengths but Umno is in need of new leadership that is capable of attracting all parties.
"Therefore I believe the leader capable of uniting all Umno Youth is Datuk Hasmuni.
"In that regard, I say there was no coaxing (to not contest for Umno youth chief) and this is the result of our discussion," he told reporters in a press conference at a hotel here today.
It had been reported that Dr Muhamad Akmal did not rule out the possibility of running for the post.
Muhammad who is also the Merlimau state assemblyman had been reported as saying that he has yet to make any decision regarding the matter at the time.
Commenting on his intention to run for the post earlier, Muhamad explained that Umno Youth needed a mature leader who is able to win the hearts of the youth, so Hasmuni naturally became the most suitable candidate.
"I am taking this opportunity to announce that I will not run for the Umno youth chief position and I give my full support to Datuk Hasmuni.
"He is someone who is always on the move and is very active with the youth members from all levels and I trust his maturity and persistence, so the youth wing will definitely will be on the right track if he assumes leadership," he explained.
He said the main vision and mission right now for the party is to win GE16 and win the hearts of young voters.
"Umno must win GE16 through the youth and we want votes from young people," he said.
Last Friday, Datuk Hasmuni had announced that he will run for the Umno Youth chief post in the upcoming party elections.
Hasmuni also introduced a candidate line-up comprimised of several individuals that will run for other positions in the Umno election.
Muhammad elaborated that after a discussion held with several party members from the state, everyone had agreed to pick Umno Youth secretary-general Datuk Hasmuni Hassan as the candidate for the post.
"The decision was made in a joint meeting with friends. Each member has their own strengths but Umno is in need of new leadership that is capable of attracting all parties.
"Therefore I believe the leader capable of uniting all Umno Youth is Datuk Hasmuni.
"In that regard, I say there was no coaxing (to not contest for Umno youth chief) and this is the result of our discussion," he told reporters in a press conference at a hotel here today.
It had been reported that Dr Muhamad Akmal did not rule out the possibility of running for the post.
Muhammad who is also the Merlimau state assemblyman had been reported as saying that he has yet to make any decision regarding the matter at the time.
Commenting on his intention to run for the post earlier, Muhamad explained that Umno Youth needed a mature leader who is able to win the hearts of the youth, so Hasmuni naturally became the most suitable candidate.
"I am taking this opportunity to announce that I will not run for the Umno youth chief position and I give my full support to Datuk Hasmuni.
"He is someone who is always on the move and is very active with the youth members from all levels and I trust his maturity and persistence, so the youth wing will definitely will be on the right track if he assumes leadership," he explained.
He said the main vision and mission right now for the party is to win GE16 and win the hearts of young voters.
"Umno must win GE16 through the youth and we want votes from young people," he said.
Last Friday, Datuk Hasmuni had announced that he will run for the Umno Youth chief post in the upcoming party elections.
Hasmuni also introduced a candidate line-up comprimised of several individuals that will run for other positions in the Umno election.