Don’t get emotional, Hisham tells Umno members

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has urged party members not to act based on their emotions following Barisan Nasional’s electoral defeat.

He said he agreed with views from party members and the people that Umno needed a new leadership and that it must be done properly.

“To my beloved Umno members, don’t act based on emotions. We are doing this for the sake of our future and unity, and I have already conveyed this to the party’s top leaders including our wings,” Hishammuddin tweeted.

Hishammuddin, who is carrying out the duties of the Umno deputy president, appealed to all party members to remain patient.

Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil meanwhile, said her movement accepted the decision by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to resign as party president and Barisan chief.

“Wanita Umno hopes that with the mandate given to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assisted by Hishammuddin, they will give a solid leadership to Umno,” she said in a statement.

Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said drastic changes need to happen in the party, and that it was time to rebuild the Umno of old that everyone knew and loved.

Khairy said the rebuilding pro- cess should be based on the party’s original struggle and spirit, where it was not seen as elitist, detached from the rakyat and void of integrity.

“All party members should be united in such changes and it must start as soon as possible.

“We cannot afford to delay it any longer,” Khairy said.