Don't use stability as excuse for no contest for top two positions, says Johor Umno delegate

KUALA LUMPUR: Any decision on whether to contest the top two positions in Umno must consider the betterment and sustainability of the party, says Datuk Pandak Ahmad (pic).

The Johor Umno delegate said he disagreed with the motion to stop the contest for president and the deputy president posts in the name of stability.

"Johor Umno would like to ask, until when do we want to ride behind the excuse of party unity or stability.

ALSO READ: Zahid: Let the delegates decide on top two posts

"If Umno really wants party unity and stability, why only stop a contest for the president and deputy president post only.

"Why not all the positions at the division and branch level as well. That is what we call party unity and stability.

"Why don't you bring a motion so that all positions do not have to be contested," he said while debating the president's policy speech.

Umno will make a decision on whether there will be a contest for the top two posts at the end of the general assembly on Saturday (Jan 14), party information chief Datuk Isham Jalil said.

ALSO READ: Decision on top posts contest to be known today

Pandak said although Johor Umno welcomed the move to join the unity government, the party's dismal performance in the 15th General Election must be explained properly by the party leadership.

"As a political party, we only won 26 from a total of 191 seats that we contested, which is something that is unfortunate.

"We need to look at it and ask what are the reasons that we ended up in such a position," he said.

He warned that there was no guarantee that Umno would be able to secure a comfortable win in the upcoming six state elections this year.

"The grassroots are concerned that without an immediate and effective formula and political narrative, Umno will continue to be at a disadvantage compared to Perikatan Nasional in order to woo the Malay votes in Malay majority areas.

"Let us hope that this will not happen again," he said.