KUALA LUMPUR: The retention of both Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in their posts uncontested showed the practice of democracy continued to flourish in the party, said party leaders.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said if there were contests, it would lead to a split which would complicate efforts by Umno to achieve its agenda in the 14th general election.
He said the absence of contest for the top two posts in Umno could be intepreted as unanimous support of members towards the leadership of Najib and Muhyiddin.
“I am thankful as Umno members at the grassroot believe in the president and deputy president.
“The no-contest victories are a manifestation of the two leaders’ efforts in uniting Umno,” he said when met at the wedding of Putrade Property Management Sdn. Bhd (Putrade) chief executive officer Datuk Maxson Abdullah H. Jaafar’s son at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
When asked on contests at the divisional level, Ahmad Zahid said even though there was competition but each member and leader should not sacrifice the party’s unity.
“I hope the flourishing democracy will not result in divisions which could lead to disunity, especially in facing the 14th general election,” said Ahmad Zahid wo will be defending his vice president’s post in Umno’s polls on Oct 19.
Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir said the emergence of competition at several divisions which saw not contests in the last few terms showed the desire of the grassroots for transformation within the party.
He said when there was a contest, grassroot members had the choice of choosing capable leaders from among the candidates.
On the posts of president and deputy president which were won uncontested yesterday, he said:” This is a healthy democratic practice unlike DAP’s central committee election.”
Mukhriz is contesting the vice-president post for the first time. — Bernama