KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 – The call by UMNO delegates for the party’s present and past leadership to close rank should be regarded a sincere advice by UMNO members who love the party and want to see it continue to be on the right track. UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the advice came from the heart of the delegates who looked up on the party leadership for guidance.
“It was important that the ‘past leaders love the new leadership and the new leadership to respect the past leaders’. This combination is important because UMNO members, in general, do not want any problem among leaders, whether those who have served in the government, and the present ones,” he told reporters on the fourth day of the UMNO general assembly here Friday.
Also present was UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is also Defence Minister. From the debate, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said some said it by making insinuations, others directly, but to he, they are all sincere. He said Friday’s debate centred on empowering the presidential institution and translating UMNO policies into government policies for the good of the people.
Ahmad Zahid said the presidential institution should be maintained as the captain of the political ship for a smooth journey to achieve the objective of the party’s struggle. He said the delegates also wanted leaders to go to the ground more often to better understand problems facing the people.
Meanwhile, Hishamuddin reminded delegates of their responsibilities to disseminate information obtained at the assembly to the grassroot members when they returned to their respective states. He added that the responsibility to close rank is not only on the shoulders of the leaders, but also delegates and divisional leaders. He said this was to bring back what is discussed in the assembly to the grassroot members.
