KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today that former PAS Syura Ulama Council secretary Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali will be joining the party's own newly-formed counterpart.

He said Khairuddin would assist the leadership of the Umno Ulama Council consisting of Islamic scholars, led by council chairman Datuk Dusuki Ahmad.

In a Facebook post today, Zahid posted photos of him visiting Dusuki — the father of Umno Youth Chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi — expressing confidence in the former Malaysia Islamic Dakwah Foundation (Yadim) chairman’s ability to lead on religious affairs.

Zahid had announced Dusuki's appointment during his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly last week, saying the formation of the council was part of the party's proposed reforms.

"With the appointment, we hope this religious group can guide us on the right path.

"The formation of the council is important for Umno because the relationship between 'ulama' (religious scholars) and 'umara' (political leaders) is an important element to ensure the country's administration follows Quran and Sunnah," he said.

Khairuddin was sacked from his PAS council post in February last year — a month after being sacked from the party’s Central Working Committee.

Serving as the plantation industries and commodities minister during the Perikatan Nasional administration led by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Khairuddin declared himself as an independent MP for Kuala Nerus who was friendly to the government.