KUALA LUMPUR: "Umno was not built on money, status or ranks."
With that in mind, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein reminded Umno members to not allow the party's election to shatter the unity that has been built within Umno.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the Umno vice president said the party had always struggled to defend the fate of Malays and the rakyat.
"Set aside your ego, arrogance, personal interests and the practise of backstabbing. This is our chance to put Umno's struggles back on the right path," he said.
Hishammuddin's advise comes as party members nationwide are in the midst of their meetings to select the next leadership line-up.
The party polls, Hishammuddin said will determine Umno's fate in the future.
"This is a critical moment," he remarked, calling on members to avoid arguing and painting one another in a bad light simply because of differences in opinions.
"Pick a leadership justly, maturely and with integrity. This is the leadership the rakyat wants to steer Umno to a new era.
"Use this space to fix the party with wisdom and sanity," he said.
Hishammuddin, who is also assuming the role of party deputy president, added that Umno members needed to face facts and rise above the defeat they suffered.
The Umno Supreme Council fixed its annual meeting for branches, women’s wing, youth and puteri starting May 19 till June 10.
The division level meeting will be on June 30.
Earlier, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi informed that the party's Supreme Council had 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.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who assumed the duties of president following the resignation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said Umno will open an online registration procedure for members who wished to offer themselves for national-level positions.
The registration will be open from June 1 to 17.