IPOH: Perak Umno has hinted at throwing its support behind Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his bid to be the party president this Saturday.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, while saying that the acting Umno president had instructed all members not to mention their respective stances, but to choose wisely and independently, had added that it was only natural that the state’s Umno leadership wanted someone from Perak to helm the party.
“We do not want to make any kind of announcement that we want this person or that person but of course, we have our own choice and preference, and of course, naturally, this person would be from Perak,” he said.
Zambry said this during a press conference after a meeting between Zahid and Perak Umno committee members at Umno building here.
On the meeting itself, he said Zahid had stressed that this year’s polls were opened for all Umno members to make their own choice.
“At the state level, we will evaluate from various aspects, such as how far a leader can perform, administer and manage the party... we won’t be looking at rhetorics.
“What is important is that they (the chosen leaders) can bring all Umno members together and fix the party’s weaknesses and past mistakes, as well as rebuild Umno to become a favoured party in the future,” he said.
Zambry said Zahid also reminded all Umno division leaders to learn from BN’s defeat in the 14th general election (GE14) and to reevaluate weaknesses in the party and themselves.
“(He) reminded us not to live in our own world, in self-denial and always blaming others for the defeat, but look at all things comprehensively,” he said.
Commenting on the results of the party’s elections for the three wings, Zambry said it showed that the grassroots members have been harbouring hopes to see a renewal process from within.
“The grassroots have spoken and what they want from Umno is the strength to face the struggles we have now. That is very important, for the new generation to take up the leadership, to understand the current situation and plan for the future as well,” he said.
In the elections over the weekend, Parit Sulong member of parliament Datuk Noraini Ahmad was voted in as Wanita chief, ex-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as Youth chief and Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan ass the new Puteri chief.
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