KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4- Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he believes the large scale participation of young members in Umno’s polls this time could bring changes to the party in future.
“The Umno polls this time gives wide room to the younger generation to involve themselves to determine the party’s direction.
“They can actively participate in looking into and solving problems. This gives them a chance to give ideas and inputs regarding a matter or issue,” he told reporters after opening the “Positioning Islam in the Framework of Modern Democracy” organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) here Tuesday.
As such, Tun Abdullah urged more younger Umno members to offer themselves to be candidates in the polls in order to rejuvenate the party.
He said he was confident grassroots members would support them because they would be bringing in “fresh energy”.
This was also vital for the party in facing the next general election, he said, adding that Umno could not allow itself to go into a “comfort zone” if it wanted to continue to thrive in the future.
The party’s polls this time (in October) will see 146,500 members from its 191 divisions casting their votes under the electoral college system to elect the president, deputy president, three vice presidents and Supreme Council members.
On the seminar, Abdullah, who is also Ikim chairman, said Islamic countries needed a democratic approach that was centred on humanity and the true teachings of the religion.
He said by following the Quran, they could ensure equality, freedom and justice prevailed.
– BERNAMA
