Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said about 80% of Umno’s current leadership lineup comprised “Zahid’s men”.“Zahid is in control. And a majority of his rivals such as Khairy Jamaluddin, Annuar Musa and Shahril Hamdan have been removed. This means the internal bickering has been reduced,” he told FMT. Khairy and Annuar were sacked from the party in February, while Shahril was suspended for six years.
He said Zahid’s move to appoint several Umno leaders, such as Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad and secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority chairman and Mara chairman, respectively, would help cushion the impact of the outcome of Najib’s court case. Such appointments showed that Zahid was looking out for Umno’s interest and that he could still take care of the party even if his hands were tied when it came to Najib, he said.