KUALA LUMPUR: Umno delegates must be wise in choosing the party’s top leadership following Supreme Council's decision in allowing the posts to be open for contest to all.
Umno Veterans secretary-general, Datuk Mustapha Yaakub, said he welcomed the move and reminded members who would be nominating candidates for the top positions to “free themselves” from the previous leadership.
“The delegates must be wise in determining the candidates, who would be able to revive the party if selected.
“The nomination of candidates starts at the branch level and we ask the branches to select them wisely as Umno is in need of a rejuvenation and new breath of life.
“So, we want leaders with calibre and are able to give new life to Umno in our efforts to revive our spirit after our defeat (in the 14th General Election).
“Division leaders who have held the position for several terms, but failed to improve the image of party, as well as giving false report to the top leadership, should give a chance to new faces if we want a transformation at the central level,” he said when contacted today.
Yesterday , Umno vice president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who carries out duties of the president, announced that the top party positions including president, deputy, vice presidents and wing chiefs would be contested in the coming polls.
The suggestion to have the posts to be contested was mooted by Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, and was supported by several states and division leaders.
Mustapha said if the old faces were still given an opportunity to lead Umno, either at central or divisional levels, the people must be willing to change for the sake of the party.
He said if they were previously arrogant, felt superior and refused to listen to others, the leaders must be able to discard such bad attitude.
“I see high possibilities of old faces being re-elected. Umno veterans hope that the delegates are wiser (this time around).
“If we want a change in order to save Umno, the delegates must be able to put aside their friends’ past deeds. The previous leadership had failed and is now a liability to Umno,” he added.