Strong support: Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa (centre) attending the Umno Puteri wing’s assembly with other Friends of BN at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Heads of Umno’s three wings want status quo for the top two party posts, saying that the party president and his deputy should be given time and space to lead Umno towards recovery.
Joining them in this call is a group of division leaders who said that a contest for the two posts would only split Umno.
Wanita chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said considering the current political situation, it is time for party members to stand together with the leadership so that Umno could rise and gain the people’s support.
“Let us give them the support they need to strengthen Umno for the sake of its survival and for the country.”
Kedah Wanita delegate Datuk Norma Awang concurred, saying that there is no need for such a contest to maintain harmony in the party.
“In fact, if it is up to me, the position of Wanita division chief should not be contested, too. We need to maintain harmony and maintain ties in the party,” she said.
While Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki did not say there should be no contest for the No.1 and No.2 posts, he said the presidential institution must be defended.
He pointed out that if the institution is weak, the organisation will be weak.
“If the presidential institution is destroyed, so will the party.”
He said hurling personal attacks at a leader while attempting character assassination is the “most effective weapon” to kill a party.
“The proof is how during the recent general election, Umno’s top two leaders were painted in a bad light, thanks to political accusations, to the point where Umno was brought down,” he said, referring to the party’s dismal performance in the 15th General Election last November.
“Even more unfortunate, there are some who are happy with such attacks and cheered along while their own party was criticised,” said Asyraf.
Puteri chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan called on members to defend the leadership to maintain respect and trust, adding that Umno leaders have been the targets of other political parties.
She said that Umno leaders, including former presidents Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had become political targets.
“Now, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is facing the same problem and we should defend him.
“Even if we change (president) many times, he will still remain the target,” she said.
Meanwhile, a group of Umno’s 140 division heads have also called for status quo of the two top posts.
The group’s representative, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafie Abdullah, said they made the unanimous call because they wanted to avoid a split in Umno.
“I had asked these 140 leaders one by one and they shared the same opinion on the matter. We hope that our views are taken into consideration,” he said.
Umno has 191 divisions, of which party polls for all positions, from branch to supreme council and wings, are up for grabs.
