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SHAH ALAM: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has quit as the Selangor Umno and Barisan Nasional chairman with immediate effect.
The two posts will now be taken over by newly-appointed Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who is also the Selangor Umno deputy chairman. Speaking at a press conference at the Selangor Umno, held midway through the state Umno meeting, Dr Khir said he felt responsible for Barisan’s poor showing in the state during the recent general election and decided it was best for him to quit. He said he made the decision to quit two to three days ago and discussed the matter with Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. “The Prime Minister asked me to do what is best for the state Umno and Barisan Nasional and I feel this is the best way. “The party president has accepted my resignation and also agreed with my decision to hand over the state leadership to Tan Sri (Muhammad),” Dr Khir said, adding that he would leave the decision on the other state Umno posts to Muhammad. “It is not a hasty decision, I decided to announce it now (before the post-mortem on the general election is concluded) because I fear that if delayed it would give rise to problems that will split the party and hamper efforts to win back the state,” he said. Muhammad, who was also at the press conference, said he was shocked by Dr Khir’s decision and was not prepared to say anything on the matter. - STAR
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