KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Supreme Council has decided that all of the top posts – including that of the president, deputy president and three vice-presidents – will be contested during the next party election.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who assumed the duties of president following the resignation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said there should now be no need to question whether or not certain positions within the party should be contested.
“All the posts, according to the party constitution and regulations, are open and free for contest. With an open mind and heart, I want these positions to be contested by anyone who is qualified,” he told reporters after a Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn.
Present were vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
Prior to this, there had been calls for the posts of president and deputy president to not be contested, but Khairy had come out strongly against this and his sentiment had been echoed by many state and division level leaders.
Zahid said Umno would open an online registration procedure for members who wished to offer themselves for national-level positions.
He said the registration would be open from June 1 to 17.
Until the party election is held, Zahid said he would continue carrying out the responsibilities and mandate which had been handed to him temporarily so that any issues within Umno could be solved.
On another matter, he said the Supreme Council meeting had also decided to set up an action committee, to be chaired by Annuar, to meet with party leaders at divisional level.
“We want Supreme Council members who have been given the responsibility to go down to the ground and meet with the leadership at the divisional and branch levels. This committee is chaired by Annuar and he will coordinate everything so that the task (of meeting division and branch leaders) is carried out,” he said.
Zahid ended the press conference by offering his congratulations to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the formation of part of the new Cabinet.
“We in Umno will watch their every move and for sure we, as the new opposition, will give constructive criticism and opposition so as to ensure that they keep their election pledges.
“Of course, we feel that as a responsible government, every pledge in their manifesto, especially those they promised to do in the 100 days, must be carried out,” he said.