Umno has enhanced its image after the party’s constitution was amended in 2009 to allow for more grassroots voices to be heard, says party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said the number of delegates voting, which had been increased from 2,500 to 146,000 under the new election system, was meant to make the polls more transparent and democratic.
“These changes have also won us admiration from all quarters. I am relieved that the new election system went on smoothly although some fine-tuning needs to be done,” he said after meeting Penang Umno leaders and members at the Politeknik Seberang Prai yesterday.
Meanwhile, two Jelutong Umno division candidates urged the leadership to relook the recent party’s wings division election process.
Jelutong Umno Youth chief candidate Ahmad Yakqub Nazri, 31, said there was a lack of transparency in the process.
Another candidate Ahmad Yakqub Nazri, 31, said the monitoring committee and the election committee must be independent and not from the same division.
He said the monitoring committee chairman Ishak Baba was also a secretary for the Jalan Patani Umno branch under the Jelutong Umno division.
“The Jalan Patani Umno branch chairman Saleem Sulaiman will be contesting for the deputy chairman’s post for the Jelutong Umno division on Oct 19,” he added.
In Sungai Petani, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir believes all six Umno vice-presidential candidates have an equal chance of winning in the party election this Saturday.
When asked on Kedah candidates’ performance in the Wanita, Youth and Puteri elections, Mukhriz said he was surprised that some of the delegates in the state did not vote for Kedah candidates.
“They may have their reasons but I hope it will not happen to me this Saturday,” he said after meeting with newly-elected Wanita, Youth and Puteri leaders from 15 Kedah Umno divisions here yesterday.
Source/fuente:http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/15/Changes-won-party-admir...