Umno election proves party still has fans despite GE15’s loss - Ahmad Maslan
PONTIAN - The call from various parties, including the grassroots, for Umno’s party election to be held openly shows that the party still garners attention despite its loss in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the party needed to combine old and new faces to lead to continue its relevance.
He said the current situation was different because Umno is part of the Unity Government, a part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet.
"Thank you to those who gave their views on Umno’s internal election. This clearly shows that Umno still has fans out there
"They are still interested in what is happening in Umno. Whatever it is, of course, the members understand better that at this point that Umno is in the Unity Government.
"Therefore, the combination of ideas from the current leadership and other leaders is necessary to continue Umno’s struggle in the Unity Government at this point," he said.
He said this at a press conference after he officiated a netball tournament at Taman Saujana Consensus Hall, here on Saturday.
Also present was Pulai Sebatang Assemblyman Hasrunizah Hassan.
On Thursday, political analyst from the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy, Dr Azmi Hassan was reported to have said that the positions of President and Deputy President of Umno should be contested in order to fulfill the wishes of the grassroots who wanted the leadership to continue the party's fight.
He explained that the matter was further strengthened by the existence of 'talks' which stated that Umno’s defeat in GE15 was due to its president.
On Monday, Ahmad who is also a Member of Parliament for Pontian was reported to have said that Umno has not yet made any decision regarding the two highest positions being contested or not in the upcoming election.
He explained that no decision on the matter had been made by the Supreme Working Council (MKT), until today.
However, the matter may be decided at the Special MKT Meeting that would be held before the Umno General Assembly (PAU) takes place on the night of Jan 12.
