KUALA LUMPUR – Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is standing for the Umno president post in the party elections, seems to be making headway in the race, with candidates from his camp emerging winners in polls for the party’s Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.
While congratulating the elected wing leaders today, he said the new lineup is capable of bringing new breath to the 72-year-old party.
Although their names had yet to be officially announced, Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, said he was happy that all the candidates he supported won in the contest.
“Those who won were the candidates that we supported. God willing, this will give new breath to the party,” he told reporters at an event organised by Pahang Umno.
Initial results announced on Umno polls Twitter feed showed that supreme council member Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was named Youth chief, defeating seven others that included former Youth vice-chief Azwan Harun and fugitive Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos.
According to another tweet, the Puteri wing post was won by its incumbent vice-chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan, 39.
Meanwhile, acting president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi posted on his Facebook page at about 6.15pm, congratulating Asyraf, Zahida and newly-elected Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad.
“Congratulations to all the wing leaders who won in the polls on Saturday. The open contest at all levels has enabled all Umno members to contest for all the positions.”
Describing this party polls as the “mother of all democracy” in Umno’s history since 1988, Ahmad Zahid said this shows that Umno is open, democratic and inclusive, where more than 165,000 delegates had cast their votes.
“This is the renewal in Umno now. This is the first step towards change so that the party will remain relevant on the nation’s political stage,” he said.
The vice-chief positions for Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings were won by Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim, Shahril Suffian Hamdan and Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi respectively.
In the race for Umno presidency, Ku Li will be up against Ahmad Zahid, former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Bandar Tun Razak committee member Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Iskandar Puteri member Mohd Yusof Musa Jamaluddin. The party president polls will be held on June 30.
As of 7.15pm, Umno election secretariat tweeted that it was unable to announce the results as the votes from 25 divisions cannot be confirmed because complaints had been made by the respective division members.
The deputy president’s post will see a straight fight between Rembau division chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Seven candidates will compete for the three vice-presidential posts.
They are Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin, Sheikh Razali Sheikh Hamad, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.
Speaking at a press conference after the official announcement, Asyraf said it was an uphill battle for him to contest as Youth chief as he was not from the Pemuda Umno.
“But when I announced my candidacy, my election machinery formed organically from the grassroots. Many volunteered to campaign for me in the divisions,” he said, expressing gratitude to delegates.
Stressing that there is no favourite line-up of leaders, Asyraf said whoever is elected is his team player as those elected are the grassroots choice and decision.
“We must respect their decision. We must acknowledge that wave from the grassroots level,” he said.
Asyraf also said that he will roll out a manifesto, which will take into consideration and include the manifestos of the other candidates as all of them want to reform the party.
“We need to discard the elitist and ‘bangsawan’ lifestyle and approach. We will visit all 191 divisions and instead of staying in hotels, we will stay in the homes of the division chiefs,” he said.
Noraini, who was also present, said the Wanita wing will continue the legacy left by Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and bridge the gap within the wing.
She said there are six women MPs from Umno who will actively and boldly voice out the grouses and plight of the people in Parliament. — Sundaily
Zahid’s daughter defeated in Wanita Umno polls
Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid was not elected into the new Wanita Umno leadership lineup after failing to make into the top 20 in the wing’s election yesterday.
Nurulhidayah, who is Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s daughter, took to Instagram to concede defeat.
“Thank you for your support and prayers. It was not to be for me to be part of the Wanita Umno exco lineup in this election.
“The struggle must continue. For me, winning and losing is part of any contest and this is Allah’s best plan for me.
“In the words of a friend, the courage to contest is the start of a victory,” she said in the Instagram posting.
In her posting, Nurulhidayah also suggested that the election of leaders should open to all members instead of just delegates.
“This will help eliminate the culture of money politics among Umno members and Umno will be seen as a more transparent party,” she said.
Umno executive secretary Ab Rauf Yusoh, in a press conference at the party headquarters tonight, announced that the new Wanita Umno chief will be Sulong MP Noraini Ahmad while her vice-chief is Norliza Abdul Rahim.
The complete line-up of the 20 exco members is expected to be unveiled soon. – MKINI
THE SUN DAILY / MKINI
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