Umno general assembly starts tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Oct 2009: Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad‘s victory in the Bagan Pinang by-election yesterday will certainly be one of the hot topics among the delegates at the 2009 Umno general assembly beginning tomorrow.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who has helmed the party for only seven months as president, acknowledged that the major victory by the veteran Umno leader would provide new inspiration to Umno’s struggles.

It is hoped that the victory will inspire the more than 2,500 delegates to push the agenda for transformation promised by party leaders.

The assembly this year will be historical as it is being held twice within one year, and it is also the first time that a special assembly is being held during the general assembly.

The fact that the assembly is being held twice within one year is due to the postponement of the party election which should have been held in 2008 but was instead held in March this year.

Meanwhile, the special general assembly on Thursday is aimed at amending the party constitution, and if accepted, it will see a more democratic Umno election.

This is a follow-up to Najib‘s proposal made in his speech when he took over from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the March 2009 general assembly.

Among others, Najib pledged to ensure wider involvement of Umno members in the party elections.

Earlier, the chairperson of the party’s main committee for the constitution amendment, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, confirmed that among the proposed changes to be tabled was the abolition of the quota system for nominations of candidates.

He also hinted that the election of the top party leadership would also be held at the divisional level which would involve delegates from the branches.     

The duration of the general assembly this time is also shorter, that is, four days compared with five previously. — Bernama