Tok Mat: I knew nothing of proposal for no-contest motion

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan says he was not aware that his Rembau division had proposed no contest for the top two posts in the party.

He said he was surprised that it was a delegate from his division who had raised the matter during the debate on the presidential address on Friday.

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“I knew nothing about it. They didn’t tell me they would propose the no-contest motion,” he said at a press conference at the conclusion of the Umno general assembly yesterday.

Mohamad was asked if it had been planned that a delegate from his division, who represented Negri Sembilan Umno, would propose that the president and deputy president posts should not be contested.

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He said he was busy writing down some notes when the time came for voting.

“I saw everyone standing up, but I did not know for what reason.

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“I stood up as well, but the president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) pulled me back, saying we should not get involved (in the voting process),” he said.

Yesterday, the Umno general assembly passed a motion for the posts of president and deputy president not to be contested in the coming party polls.

This means Ahmad Zahid and Mohamad, who is popularly known as Tok Mat, will remain as Umno president and deputy president, respectively, for another term.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had hit out at Mohamad for allegedly hiding behind Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Shukri Samsudin’s proposal to leave the top two positions in the party uncontested.

In response, Mohamad said the party practised democracy and was open to any differing views.

“In our party, we practise democracy.

“If we do not share the same views, please do not point at this and that.

“Let us try and convince them to come back to us and understand that this is the democratic process that we practise,” he added.

He also urged Umno leaders who are part of the unity government to give their best when carrying out their duties.

In his winding-up speech, Mohamad said Umno would be kickstarting its move to rebuild its strength to prepare for the next general election.

He urged party delegates to go back to their own constituencies and divisions to make the necessary preparations.