Zahid: Umno is more open now

‘Elections prove that democracy is alive within the party’

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s ongoing party polls have shown that the party is more open, democratic and inclusive as more than 165,000 delegates could cast their ballots, claims Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The acting Umno president said the openness of the party elections displayed the “mother of all democracy” since 1988.

“This is the change that Umno is showing. This is the first step towards change so that the party remains relevant in the country’s politics,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also congratulated the winners of the three wings’ elections, which were held on Saturday.

The former deputy prime minister is vying for the president’s post in the polls next week.

He is facing four other rivals, namely Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, outgoing Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Bandar Tun Razak committee member Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Iskandar Puteri member Mohd Yusof Musa @ Jamaluddin.

Meanwhile, in Kuantan, Razaleigh said the election results of the three wings – Wanita, Youth and Puteri – could be an indicator of his bright chances in winning.

He said those who had won – Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as the Youth chief and Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan as the Puteri chief – were his favourites.

“They are our choice for support. God willing, they will be able to bring new breath to the party,” he said after attending a gathering with Pahang Umno members yesterday.

Razaleigh said he had met with Umno members in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, and would be travelling to Kuala Terengganu to campaign.

He added that his plan to face Dr Ahmad Zahid and Khairy on June 29, a day before the polls, was not to debate, but to engage in a dialogue for the betterment of the party.

“It will be like a question-and-answer session, and not a debate as reported,” he said.

This is the first step towards change so that the party remains relevant in the country’s politics. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi