Return to Umno's constitution to contest top two posts, says division chief
04 Jan 2023 09:36pm
Umno general assembly will be held this month
SHAH ALAM - An Umno division chief says Umno should return to party's constitution with top two posts contested.
Bandar Tun Razak chief Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar said any restrictions will deny the voice and will of grassroots to elect a leader capable to restore Umno's image.
"Allowing the position of president and its deputy to be contested does not mean that there is a leader who will challenge the existing two posts. Maybe no one wants to challenge the top two.
"If there is anyone who wants to contest, this is a good opportunity for the president to prove that he has the legitimacy and support of the majority from grassroots members to continue leading the party," he said in a statement.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the Umno president. He is also currently the deputy prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairman. His number two is Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Mohamad commonly known as Tok Mat is the country Defence Minister and BN deputy chairman.
Rizalman further said it will allow the president to carry out party's transformation with a clear mandate from grassroots members if he wins party elections.
"Let the grassroots decide who deserves to lead the party," he said, adding that the grassroots mature in making decisions and will put the interests of the party above all," he said.
He further said this is a legitimate process and all parties need to respect this process.
Umno's Johor deputy chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed had recently said there is no need for the two top posts of Umno to be contested as it would only cause division among members and could threaten the party’s unity as it goes through the recovery process following the 15th General Election.
Three vice-president post — currently held by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid — and the Supreme Council member seats are contested during the party polls.
