Zahid says no need for Umno presidential debate

Umno presidential candidate Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has rubbished the need for a debate ahead of the June 30 party polls.

“We have no intention of following the (American) system where Democratic and Republican parties hold debates among their presidential candidates.

“This is because our political mould is a ‘family’ mould.

“Our party is the biggest party for the Malays, therefore, it is better for us to celebrate our differences on the front porch of our own home (privately),” the acting party president told a press conference at the Kelantan Umno's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today.

Also seen at the event were Umno deputy presidential candidates Mohamad Hasan and Annuar Musa.

Zahid stressed that even if there were differences between candidates, there was no need for public debates as they were not “the Umno way”.

“There is no need to air our differences to those who do not want to see Umno become strong. Let us sort this out through the Umno way, as a fraternity and a family,” said the Bagan Datuk MP.

The idea for a party presidential debate came from Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and was later agreed to by Khairy Jamaluddin. Both RTM and Astro Awani also agreed to host the debate.

Zahid, Razaleigh and Khairy are the three main contenders for the Umno presidential race.

The four other contestants vying for the top post - Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz, Rosile Saat, Mohd Iqbal Maricair and Mohd Yusuf Musa @ Jamaluddin - are relatively unknown.

Last month, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak stepped down as Umno president after leading BN to its first defeat in the 61 years since independence.

He will not be contesting in the upcoming Umno election but said he will defend his Pekan Umno division chief's post. - Mkini