BAGAN DATUK – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed hope that the results of the party elections involving 189 divisions today will serve as a step towards the party’s revival.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said as the leadership to be elected today not only involved the central level, but also the state and division levels, it was necessary to move together and work as a team to face the six state elections.
“Whether these individuals are known or unknown, Umno is very democratic, as candidates must register after they qualify as a candidate.
“My hope is that the decisions to be made by 189 divisions will serve as a step for Umno’s revival,” he said when met at the Bagan Datuk Umno division elections, here today.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, stressed that democracy in Umno continues to flourish as several candidates have offered themselves to contest despite the party being said to be experiencing a “dark” period.
Umno’s elections are being held from February 1 to March 18, with the branch-level elections being held from February 1 to 26, followed by the elections for the Wanita, Youth, and Puteri wings at the national level on March 11.
The party divisional delegates’ meetings and committee elections, as well as contests for seats in the Umno Supreme Council, will be held simultaneously nationwide today.
Meanwhile, Zahid expressed hope that the elected Supreme Council members will be able to strengthen the party.
He also stressed that Umno needs to embrace digitalisation to gain the support of voters, including new ones.
“I hope we choose the best from the best, even though I celebrate the difference of views and opinions. We should not differ in our views when the party makes decisions, especially big decisions.
“Now we are in the unity government, we support the concept of Malaysia Madani. We are part of the government.”
He said that Umno’s compatibility with BN’s component parties, together with the parties supporting the unity government, has begun to show positive development at the national, parliamentary, and state constituency levels, as well as at district polling centres and local levels. – Bernama, March 18, 2023
