Langkawi rejects party’s old election system

A LANGKAWI division leader has rejected a proposal for a return to the “delegates system” to elect party leaders.

Langkawi Umno division chief Nazifuddin Najib said the old system had not only become irrelevant to current political realities but also went against the principles of democracy and openness championed by Umno, Berita Harian reported.

“I firmly reject the proposal. As a party that champions democracy and openness, returning to the old, non-inclusive system is a step backward,” he was quoted as saying.

He was asked to comment on claims that Umno was planning to revert to its old system where some 2,500 delegates would choose the party’s top office bearers at the polls which are held during the general assembly.

Nazifuddin, who is the son of former prime minister Najib Razak, said the system currently in place ensures the selection of the party’s top echelons is fair and transparent.

“The right to choose Umno’s central leadership should be maintained, with the grassroots having their say, and not limited to the delegates sent to the Umno general assembly.

“The proposal to give voting rights to only the delegates present at the assembly also raises concerns of money politics,” he said.

He said Umno’s top leadership should be more aware of the grassroots voices and ensure all changes to its electoral process are based on democratic principles.

In January, Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin said the party is considering amending its electoral process as part of a broader structural change in view of current challenges.

Last July, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also reported to have said the party was prepared to look into proposals to amend the regulations on its election system.

 

Langkawi tolak pemilihan cara lama parti

UMNO Bahagian Langkawi menolak sebarang usaha mengembalikan proses pemilihan bagi jawatan tertinggi UMNO kepada sistem lama yang mengehadkan hanya 2,500 perwakilan dibenarkan mengundi.

Ketuanya, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib, berkata sistem lama itu bukan sahaja tidak relevan dengan realiti politik semasa, malah bercanggah dengan prinsip demokrasi dan keterbukaan diperjuangkan UMNO.

“Saya dengan tegas membantah cadangan (mengembalikan sistem pemilihan lama) itu, yang hanya membabitkan 2,500 perwakilan bagi pemilihan kepimpinan tertinggi parti.

“Sebagai parti memperjuangkan demokrasi dan keterbukaan, langkah mengembalikan sistem lama yang kurang inklusif adalah satu langkah ke belakang,” katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, semalam.

Media pada Julai tahun lalu melaporkan, Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, parti itu terbuka dan bersedia meneliti sebarang cadangan bagi mengubah sistem pemilihan parti.

Menerusi laporan itu, Ahmad Zahid dipetik berkata, sistem pemilihan bukan keutamaan parti ketika ini dan hanya akan dilakukan jika terdapat keperluan atau sudah tiba masanya.

Mohd Nazifuddin berkata, perubahan yang dilakukan sebelum ini dan diamalkan sekarang bertujuan memastikan pemilihan kepimpinan tertinggi parti lebih adil, telus dan menyeluruh.

“Oleh itu, hak memilih pemimpin UMNO pusat perlu dikekalkan kepada ahli akar umbi seperti sekarang, bukan hanya terhad kepada perwakilan yang dihantar ke Perhimpunan Agung UMNO (PAU).

“Malah, cadangan memberikan semula hak mengundi kepada hanya 2,500 perwakilan yang menghadiri PAU, menimbulkan kebimbangan besar terhadap isu politik wang,” katanya.

Mohd Nazifuddin berkata, kepimpinan tertinggi UMNO perlu lebih cakna suara akar umbi dan memastikan sebarang perubahan dalam sistem pemilihan perlu berdasarkan prinsip demokrasi demi masa depan parti untuk lebih inklusif dan kukuh.

“UMNO Bahagian Langkawi mengambil ketetapan tidak akan menyokong sebarang perubahan yang boleh mengorbankan prinsip asas demokrasi dalaman dan kepercayaan rakyat terhadap UMNO,” katanya.

 

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