KUALA LUMPUR – Calling for the need to uphold democracy, as often touted by the party, Umno delegates have called for all party positions, including the top two posts, to be open for contest.
Negri Sembilan Umno delegate Muhammad Sufian Maradzi said the party must move away from the practises of old, especially during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure, where the president and deputy president post were not open to contest, curtailing members’ rights to democratically vote their leaders.
“We must open all party posts to be contested. This is my view. No one has called me to say these things.
“We must celebrate the practice of democracy so that the party Youth wing will not suffer from practices of the past during Dr Mahathir’s time, when the post of party president and deputy president was not contested.
“If that is the case, there should not be any contest even at the division level, because I am sure some of us would like that as well.
“Simple, no contest at any division or branch level…but if that is the case, then when can we become division leaders?” he said when debating the policy speech by Umno youth chief Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki during the party’s annual general assembly for the Youth wing today.
Sufian, who is also the state youth deputy chief, stressed that party members will eventually choose party leaders who continue to put the party’s best interest forward.
“We will not run away from our obligations to the party, but please do not bind the party with such practices, because I am sure if our leaders are able to care for our best interest then our members will continue to elect them.
Similarly, Melaka Umno delegate Fairul Nizam Roslan also urged party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to allow for open contests on all party posts, including the top two positions.
“I implore the president to allow challenges to his position. I’m sure the party will continue to elect him as he has remained steadfast with the party,” he said.
Both Sufian and Fairul’s speeches had broken away from the policy speeches delivered by Asyraf, who stated that the party president post remained the “centre of gravity” for the party and must be protected. – The Vibes, January 12, 2023
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