MELAKA, Sept 25 – Although UMNO has made a great transformation by allowing 146,500 members to vote in the party polls, certain quarters still deny the changes, said its vice-president, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said as the transformation was aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots level, UMNO members should keep sound wisdom and discretion in exercising their voting power.
“The decision to implement the transformation three years ago was not an easy one in the face of uncertainties, including disunity among members.
“However it was implemented for the sake of empowering members to choose party leaders.
“We have given this discretion to members. Isn’t it a transformation, isn’t it a change, isn’t it an empowerment?
“Indeed UMNO has undergone a transformation, but some people still do not see or notice this even it is right in front of their eyes,” he said at a gathering with UMNO Melaka members and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) meet-the-clients session in Melaka, Tuesday night.
The UMNO Constitution was amended in 2009 to bring wider democracy to UMNO by expanding the number of members empowered to directly vote for top party positions from 2,510 delegates to 146,500 members.
Speaking to reporters later, Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister and acting transport minister, said the UMNO polls including a six-cornered fight for the vice-presidency would not undermine the party unity.
“UMNO becomes stronger after every party polls as attested from the results of the last general election.
“I think such doubts were raised by certain quarters with the aim of creating a negative perception among the younger generation towards UMNO. Ultimately, the party becomes the victim,” he added.
Meanwhile Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron said Baddrul Hissham Abdul Aziz’s withdrawal from contesting the Tangga Batu UMNO division post defended by him was a testimony of the Melaka UMNO unity.
“I know his sincerity and I had a heart-to-heart talk with him. We had resolved everything he had raised amicably. Thank you for the sacrifices made and making way for me to continue lead the division,” he said.
-BERNAMA
