‘SCRAP NONSENSICAL NO-CONTEST POLICY’
MELAKA and Negri Sembilan Umno say there should not be any contest for the top three party posts. Umno’s Youth chief, however, is dead set against the move, saying it sends the wrong message about the party’s direction post-GE14.
UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has rejected suggestions that certain positions in the party should not be contested in the coming party election.
Such suggestions, he said, should not exist in Umno any longer if it wished to remain relevant and make a return to appeal to the people.
This mode of thinking, he said, was among the reasons why Barisan Nasional, spearheaded by Umno, failed in the 14th General Election (GE14).
He said the idea was “nonsensical” as it gave the wrong message on Umno’s direction after GE14.
“I disagree with the idea that some positions should not be contested in the Umno election.
“I would be pleased if anyone supported me (for a position in the party), but all positions in Umno, for me or anyone else, must be contested.
“I feel the motion to not contest some positions is among the reasons why the people lost their faith in us, as if we have not opened a democratic room for our members, so it’s best we stop this nonsense,” he said at Menara Dato’ Onn here yesterday.
Khairy was commenting on a Melaka Umno suggestion that the posts of party president, deputy president and vice-president be given to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy, respectively, and that they should not be contested.
Khairy’s rejection of the idea, however, differed from his policy speech at the Umno general assembly in December, where he had said the president and deputy president posts should not be contested in the party election.
Asked whether it was time for him to mount a challenge on the president’s post, Khairy said there was plenty of time left to mull over what position would be contested in the election.
It remains unknown if Khairy’s view will be shared by state party liaison committees, and its rank and file.
Negri Sembilan Umno had, on Monday, decided to not propose names for the top two posts so that they remain uncontested, while Johor Umno on Thursday said it had not discussed the issue.
Umno, the largest party in BN, with 3.5 million members, is holding meetings at the branch level until June 10, followed by divisional meetings on June 30 ahead of a party election expected to be held by year-end.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak stepped down as Umno president and BN chairman after the coalition’s defeat in GE14. Zahid is assuming the duty of party president, while Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is assuming the duty of deputy president.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin shared Khairy’s views in rejecting a no-contest approach for the party’s highest positions.
“Umno has to change as the grassroots have changed. Why should we stop anyone who wishes to contest any position? I think it is time for Umno to change. Give room for anyone to contest. I disagree with the notion.”