Contest will prove Zahid, Mohamad’s legitimacy, says Umno leader

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PETALING JAYA: Two Umno division leaders have called for the presidency and deputy presidency to be contested, with one arguing it will allow the top two to gauge their support among the grassroots.

Bandar Tun Razak chief Rizalman Mokhtar said the grassroots should be allowed to determine who was qualified to lead the party.

“To prevent a contest for the top posts is to deny the grassroots from choosing a leader they feel can help restore Umno’s image,” Rizalman said in a statement.

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Change leaders if you want makeover, Umno members told

PETALING JAYA: Umno members need to be daring and change the leadership, including the president, in the coming party elections if they want a makeover, political analysts said.

Mujibu Abd Muis of Universiti Teknologi Mara said the party elections need to be the platform for members to undertake a “total reform” following Umno’s poor performance in the November general election (GE15).

“Give a signal (for reform) by changing the leaders from the top to the division level if they want a makeover.

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“Bring it on”: Zahid ready to face challengers for party’s top post

UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he is open to being challenged by anyone who aspires to hold the party’s number one position in the upcoming party election.

According to Zahid – who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister – this was to give an opportunity to about 160,000 delegates to choose the party’s leadership, especially for the positions of president and deputy president.

He further noted that it was up to UMNO representatives to make their own choices as well as to determine the direction of the party to ensure that UMNO remains relevant on the political stage.

“Absolute power is the power of representatives who represent their respective branches and divisions throughout the country,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) mandate event.

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