“The decision for Ismail to be the ‘poster boy’ was unanimously approved, with the main factor being that he is the current prime minister,” division head Mahdzir Khalid said in a statement.

“He is also seen to be doing a good job, and we believe that will attract more people to vote for Umno and BN,” added the rural development minister.

Mahdzir is also one of Umno’s three vice-presidents, alongside Ismail and Khaled Nordin.

He said the Padang Terap division meeting also agreed to support Ismail as prime minister until the end of his term in 2023, adding that he should be given enough time and room to resolve key issues, such as the country’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also said GE15 need not be held in the “near future”, adding that Ismail should discuss the matter with the party’s leadership when he felt the time is right.

Asked about Ismail’s eligibility to be appointed Umno president, Mahdzir said the matter should be handed over to party members to decide at the next party election.

“It is an election matter and is completely different from the motions we approved today.

“However, if possible, we want the prime minister to be the same person managing party-related matters,” he said.

“All this needs to be discussed by our members and determined by the divisions and grassroots.”