PETALING JAYA: Two Umno division leaders have called for the presidency and deputy presidency to be contested, with one arguing it will allow the top two to gauge their support among the grassroots.
Bandar Tun Razak chief Rizalman Mokhtar said the grassroots should be allowed to determine who was qualified to lead the party.
“To prevent a contest for the top posts is to deny the grassroots from choosing a leader they feel can help restore Umno’s image,” Rizalman said in a statement.
A contest for the presidency and deputy presidency would also present the best opportunity for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Mohamad Hasan, respectively, to prove they had the support to continue leading the party, he said.
Rizalman said this would allow Zahid to carry out his reform plans for the party.
“He would also be a president who had his leadership tested and had passed it with flying colours.”
Last month, Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos had proposed that a motion be tabled at the party’s general assembly next month barring anyone from contesting the presidency and deputy presidency.
Zahid, however, said he would leave it to delegates to decide whether the top two posts should be contested at the party polls.
Alor Setar Umno chief Yusof Ismail, meanwhile, said the “excuse” for delaying the party polls – to ensure stability ahead of the general election – did not fare well, with the party losing the most number of seats in its history.
“It would be detrimental to Umno if the top two posts are not contested.
“Not only will members lose faith in the party, the public will abandon it,” he said in a Facebook post. - FMT
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