KUALA LUMPUR – Contrary to some news reports, the majority of Umno delegates did not “boo” when a motion of no-contest for the party’s top two posts was proposed at its ongoing assembly, said its deputy permanent chairman Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
He said the boos came from only a few division heads, while the majority of those in the hall supported it when the motion was proposed yesterday.
“There are one or two news portals…creating headlines and suggesting that the motion was booed.
“In reality, the boos came from a few division heads who had supported (the earlier) statutory declarations for (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) to be prime minister.
“While nearly two-thirds of the delegates had actually supported the motion,” Puad, a supreme council member, wrote on Facebook.
He said even those who had booed earlier kept quiet when the time came for the motion to be debated yesterday.
“Let’s wait and see today. The motion will be voted on. Don’t say that the party is undemocratic once the motion has been voted on,” Puad added.
The no-contest motion was proposed by Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Shukri Samsudin and was supported by representatives from other states, including Terengganu and Selangor, according to Umno information chief Isham Jalil yesterday.
Voting is scheduled to be held at the end of the assembly’s proceedings today after delegates have debated and expressed their views on the motion.
In the run-up to the assembly, Umno leaders, including the party’s Youth, Wanita and Puteri chiefs, had urged for the top two posts to not be contested so that Umno can reconsolidate following its crushing 15th general election defeat, and the unity government remains stable.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also deputy prime minister, has said he was willing to face any challenges for the Umno presidency, while his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said likewise but preferred if no election was held.
However, party delegates have appeared more eager for a contest, saying members should have the right to choose their leaders.
Umno is not holding its election during the ongoing assembly but will have to do so by May 19, six months after the general election. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
