Two Cabinet ministers are at odds over the statement by Pulai Member of Parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who said that the people were fed-up with Umno.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said Nur Jazlan had a point but Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it was a "stunt to attract attention".
Nazri noted that it was time that Umno made some changes if it wanted to continue staying relevant to the community.
"This country practises freedom of speech and what he (Nur Jazlan) said is right. It is not wrong at all.
"Every candidate should reject popularity votes if they have not done anything for their constituency and the people," Nazri told reporters today in Kuala Lumpur.
Nur Jazlan, who is also the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief, said earlier today that the party needed change as people were fed up with its broken promises and lack of reforms after the general election.
“Society is tired and fed up with what is happening in Umno. Before the general election, the party had promised changes but until now, nothing has changed," he added.
He announced that he will run for an Umno supreme council seat in the party elections, pointing out his tilt was to enhance the party's appeal to the younger generation.
"What they (the people) want is a change and new faces in the party leadership. My nomination is to surprise Umno members and new faces will help the party in making changes quickly," the Pulai Umno division chief said.
However, Hishammuddin disputed Nur Jazlan's statement, pointing out that the party's "achievements" in the last general election was proof that it still had the support of the people.
"His comment does not tally with what the party has achieved in the general election. Umno won with additional seats. It shows that the party still has support.
"People use many ways when they want to contest but others can evaluate the things that we have promised, if we can actually deliver it realistically," said Hishammuddin.
Nazri, meanwhile, pointed out that it was important for Umno to evaluate what the party's focus should be.
"Umno elections have been carried out a few times and we have to learn from our mistakes. What is important is that we are not greedy for posts," he added.
He stressed that candidates should win the hearts of the grassroots as their popularity in Umno will not guarantee their win in the elections.
"As seen before, there are a few leaders in the Supreme Council like Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi and Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who won in Umno by popularity but lost in the elections," he said.
He concurred with Nur Jazlan that Umno had to make way for younger leaders.
"I agree 100% that we have to bring young leaders to regenerate the party. The older ones can also come but as observers," he added.
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