PONTIAN, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Candidates for the Umno polls have been reminded to maintain discipline and not resort to any action that could tarnish the image of the party.
Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Umno should set an example to Barisan Nasional (BN) component and opposition parties in conducting a transparent and clean party's election.
"The people are watching the contest and we do not want to create a perception that Umno is saddled with problems such as money politics," he said after launching Bank Rakyat's Ar-Rahnu X'Change and Rakyat Xcess in Benut here Thursday.
Ahmad, who is also deputy finance minister, said so far, the party's election at the branch level, including that of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings went on smoothly.
In BANGI, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said party members were mature and wise in choosing leaders whom they could rely on in championing the party.
Mohd Shafie, who is also rural and regional development minister, said he was neither afraid of a contest for the vice-presidency in October not would be coercing members into voting him.
"If they choose me, alhamdulillah (praise be to God). In this struggle, let's not be upset, let's not be afraid, let's not be worried.
"As long as we are able to uphold our people's struggle, our party's struggle, I am convinced that will bond us together," he told reporters after launching the flag waving campaign in conjunction with the independence day celebration here today.
Apart from Mohd Shafie, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have also confirmed their decision to defend the vice-presidency.
Former vice-president Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad has asserted that he would vie for the position.
In SHAH ALAM, Selangor Wanita Umno today came out in support of Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to continue to helm the movement based on her track record.
Selangor Wanita Umno chief Datuk Raja Ropiah Raja Abdullah said the decision was made at its liaison committee meeting where all state Wanita division chiefs expressed their support for Shahrizat.
"Shahrizat was instrumental in Umno's decision to field more female candidates in the 13th general election.
"Since helming the movement in 2009 she has brought many changes and carried out her promises and most evident, the establishment of the Wanita Umno Sayang Squad to reach all levels of the community," Raja Ropiah told reporters here today.
source:http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/po/newspolitics.php?id=971961
