Intensified factional fighting in Selangor Umno
Fierce rivalry and tantrums continue to split Selangor Umno as it struggles to find its footing more than two years after losing the country’s wealthiest state to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Party members are split between Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Selangor Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo, both of whom are working “independently” and upstaging each other to impress state chief and party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Dr Khir, the former mentri besar, is widely blamed for losing Selangor in Election 2008 while Noh, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, is seen as positioning himself as a potential mentri besar should Barisan Nasional (BN) win in the next general election.
“It looks like they are competing with each other for the limelight rather than working to strengthen Umno Selangor,” said a state assemblyman, who declined to be identified.
Both Noh Omar and Dr Khir are struggling to stay politically relevant in the eyes of Najib, who has been distracted by his duties as prime minister.
While most older assemblymen have some allegiance to Dr Khir, having benefited during his administration, others are waiting for a signal to see who Najib and Umno’s central leadership endorses.
A dark horse in Selangor Umno’s leadership tussle is Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who was mentri besar from 1986 to 1997. The popular leader, better known as Mat Tyson, still holds considerable influence over the Umno grassroots but has come under fire for being “missing in action” from his Kelana Jaya division which he has led since making a comeback to Umno politics.
Mat Taib is also seem to be in a "wait and see" position in order not to take sides in the Nor Omar and Dr Khir factional tussle in order to gain advantage to the winning side in near future. Other political source had also indicated that Mat Taib may be also positioning himself for a possible takeover should both factions come into an uncompromise tussle which will force Najib to abandon both of them for a third force.
Party members are split between Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Selangor Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo, both of whom are working “independently” and upstaging each other to impress state chief and party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Dr Khir, the former mentri besar, is widely blamed for losing Selangor in Election 2008 while Noh, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, is seen as positioning himself as a potential mentri besar should Barisan Nasional (BN) win in the next general election.
“It looks like they are competing with each other for the limelight rather than working to strengthen Umno Selangor,” said a state assemblyman, who declined to be identified.
Both Noh Omar and Dr Khir are struggling to stay politically relevant in the eyes of Najib, who has been distracted by his duties as prime minister.
While most older assemblymen have some allegiance to Dr Khir, having benefited during his administration, others are waiting for a signal to see who Najib and Umno’s central leadership endorses.
A dark horse in Selangor Umno’s leadership tussle is Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who was mentri besar from 1986 to 1997. The popular leader, better known as Mat Tyson, still holds considerable influence over the Umno grassroots but has come under fire for being “missing in action” from his Kelana Jaya division which he has led since making a comeback to Umno politics.
Mat Taib is also seem to be in a "wait and see" position in order not to take sides in the Nor Omar and Dr Khir factional tussle in order to gain advantage to the winning side in near future. Other political source had also indicated that Mat Taib may be also positioning himself for a possible takeover should both factions come into an uncompromise tussle which will force Najib to abandon both of them for a third force.
