Consider views of non-Umno individuals, Mahathir tells delegates

PORT KLANG, Sept 30 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today suggested that Umno delegates consider the views of individuals from outside the party when electing the Umno leadership next month.

He said there was a great possibility of the delegates making the wrong choice if they only took into consideration the interests of Umno at the polls.

“Umno members have the authority to determine who will be the leaders. As such, they should take into consideration the views of people from outside Umno.
“If they only see the interests of Umno, there is a huge possibility that they may make the wrong choice and this may result in the defeat of Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election,” he told reporters after launching the maiden voyage of the MV Arca Emerald, which transports automobiles, at Northport here.

Also present was Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on the requests by Umno electoral candidates for a relaxation of what they claimed to be restrictive conditions governing campaigning in the party elections. 

Some of the candidates had also asked for all the contestants to be allowed to introduce themselves to the delegates who will be electing the leaders.

Umno has opted for a new system of electing its leadership, involving up to 146,000 delegates.

The Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno divisional meetings and elections as well as the elections of the central committees of three wings are scheduled for October12.

The main divisional delegates meetings and election of the main divisional leaders as well as the supreme council leaders would be held on October 19. — Bernama