Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri opined that the posts of Umno President and Deputy President should not be contested at this year's party general assembly.His justification was to preserve solidarity among members of the party that was the pillar of strength for Barisan Nasional (BN), he said.
Abdul Rahim, who is Kudat member of parliament, said the success of the party leadership, Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in retaining BN power in the Government in the last 13th general election reflected that the party under Najib and Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was still strong and had the people's confidence.
This took into account the current world political situation as a result of globalisation and communication and information explosion which had also changed the political landscape of all governments and countries in the world, he said in a statement here Saturday.
He said countries that adopted the "Westminster" democratic system, which was similar with the Malaysian democratic system, like Britain and Australia, would also face a tense situation, like a hung parliament.
"The conclusion is, open contest for key posts in Umno will create the setting up of 'camps' and based on past experiences, it is feared, will lead to internal bickering and continuous politicking which will only weaken the party," he added.
Abdul Rahim said such a situation should be avoided and efforts should be made to enhance solidarity and unity among party members in preparation for the 14th general election.
In Kuantan, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said, however, that the two posts should be opened for contest as Umno was a party which practised democracy.
As a democratic party and inclusive in nature, all posts in the party should be contested, he told reporters after opening the TV3 Jom Heboh Carnival.
"Whoever wants to contest the posts should be allowed to do so, win or lose is a different story," he added.
Prior to this, the Negri Sembilan Umno liaison Committee had proposed that there should be no contest for the President and deputy President posts in this year's Umno general assembly to ensure they party remained strong.
Adnan said Umno was a democratic party and if it wanted to remain relevant to youths and the educated, it must not be exclusive.
"I do not agree with statements supporting the positions to be closed for contest.
For me, it must be open.
"We can support Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the President post but how can the President, deputy President, Umno Youth chief and Wanita chief posts be uncontested?
"It is better if we do not do this because it will show that we are autocratic," Adnan said.
He said it was not because he was not loyal to the party President and deputy President but Umno would not be democratic if such statements were being made.
It was reported that Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had expressed the wing's wish for the party's top two posts to be uncontested at its coming elections.
Several Umno leaders, including Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan, had supported the call.
To a question on whether he was eyeing any position, Adnan said he was already old and would like to focus on doing what must be done.
