PETALING JAYA: Former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar fears for the party’s chances in the six state elections following the decision not to contest the party’s top two posts at the upcoming party polls.
On Sunday, the Umno general assembly saw the delegates support a motion to ensure there will be no challenge to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Mohamad Hasan at the Umno elections, which must be held by May 19.
The argument made by Umno leaders and delegates in support of the motion was that it was necessary to maintain party unity before the state elections took place.
Taking to Facebook, Noh pointed out that Umno had given the same reason when amending its constitution last year to postpone the party polls until six months after the general election (GE15).
“In the end, Umno won only 26 seats (at GE15). Now, Umno is facing six state elections and the same excuse is being used (for the no-contest motion), that is, to prevent a split in the party.
“I am concerned that voters in these six states will reject Umno candidates.”
It was reported that Umno was split on whether a contest for the top two posts should be held, with some saying it risks dividing the party, and others arguing that it would allow Zahid and Mohamad to prove that they have the support of the grassroots.
Noh resigned as Selangor Umno chief a day after GE15 saying that he had lost confidence in Zahid’s leadership following Barisan Nasional’s (BN) poor showing at the polls – where it won only 30 seats. Aside from Umno’s 26, MCA won two seats, MIC (1) and PBRS (1).
The six-term MP was dropped as BN’s candidate to make way for Tanjong Karang Wanita Umno chief Habibah Yusof in GE15. She lost to Perikatan Nasional’s Zulkafperi Hanapi in the battle for the Tanjong Karang seat.