UMNO'S top two posts should remain uncontested as competition for the posts could lead to disunity and conflict among party members.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he agreed with calls that there should not be any contest for the posts of party president and deputy president because he feared it would lead to conflict among members.
"Of course, following the practice of democracy, there should be competition.
"Malaysians, however, are not that clear on democracy and, if they lose, members will form another party which will lead to more cracks in Umno. That is why I am against the contest for the top posts.
"During my time, I won with only a few votes, but those who lost took the case to court and then formed their own party," he told reporters after the launch of the book The Prisoners' Diaries at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here yesterday.
Cheras Umno division chief Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabsee, in echoing Dr Mahathir's sentiment, said although the Umno constitution had provided regulations to allow the two top posts in the party to be contested, it was best for the sake of party unity to leave them unchallenged.
He said the party, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had emerged stronger and victorious in the 13th General Election.
"Umno is a democratic party and no one can stop aspirants contesting for the seats. The best I can do is to advise members against it."
Syed Ali, who is also Umno Federal Territory secretary, said the party would not stop members from contesting, but hopefuls should "look at themselves in the mirror" and not be emotional in their endeavours.
"This is my personal opinion. As the orang lama (senior) in the party, I want to see Umno becoming stronger. If there is a pertinent matter that justifies a change (at the top), then its fine.
"But if there is no such thing, then why should change take place? I see Najib and Muhyiddin as the perfect combination to lead the party.
"We managed to win more parliamentary seats in the election, which shows that the Malays have placed their faith in the party."
Several senior Umno members had suggested that the party's two top posts should not be contested in the upcoming party elections, expected to be held at the end of this year. The proposal has so far received mixed reactions from Umno members.
On Sunday, Kedah Umno gave its endorsement to the no-contest proposal after the state party liaison committee's first meeting after the polls.
Its chairman, Datuk Ahmad Bashah, had said that Barisan Nasional's achievement in retaining power in the polls was a strong reason for all party members to support the proposal.
- NST
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