Ali Rustam urges Umno to support top three
KUALA LUMPUR: Melaka Umno yesterday suggests that the top three posts in the party — president, deputy president and vicepresident — not be contested in the next party election.
Former Melaka chief minister Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state Umno has suggested three names for the posts: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for party president, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (deputy president) and Khairy Jamaluddin (vice-president).
Ali, who is also Bukit Katil Umno chief, said other posts, however, were open for contest and had called for new faces to contest, especially at the division and wing levels.
“We want Umno to come back stronger. Therefore, we do not want the top three posts to be contested.
“Umno members must support Zahid, Hishammuddin and Khairy in these trying times. Umno must have a ‘nakhoda ’ (captain) so that it can move forward.
“We must remember that Umno has become an opposition party. Therefore, we must remain strong,” he said at Menara Dato’ Onn here yesterday.
Earlier, Ali was at the Umno headquarters with Melaka Umno leaders, including chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
He said they met Zahid and Umno executive secretary Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to discuss the division meetings, which kicked-off yesterday.
“We leave this matter to the grassroots to bring any motion to be discussed to strengthen the party, particularly on new committees at the division and wing levels.
“We need to open the door to new leaders who are credible, sincere, loyal, honest and always fight for the party.
“We cannot afford to choose those who just want the post,” he said, adding that he had no intention to contest in the party election.