- September 26, 2008 21:12 PM
- KUALA LUMPUR
- (Bernama)
-- The postponement of the Umno general assembly to March next year is prove that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gives priority to party interest and respects the views of members.
"My respects go out to the Umno president. Pak Lah had been magnanimous and had considered everything," vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the Umno Supreme Council special meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here Friday.
Asked why he seemed satisfied although no date had been mentioned for the power transition, Muhyiddin said: "I think you have to have the trust...There must be a certain element of trust."
The Umno Supreme Council special meeting on Friday decided to postpone the general assembly to March next year while retaining the dates for divisional meet. The decision on divisional meetings would ensure that the election process could continue in accordance with the democratic process.
Muhyiddin said the postponement followed frank talks between Abdullah and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak in recent months, taking into account sentiments and views from the party grassroots.
He said it was important that the decision would not cause disunity and ensure that the power transition process would not affect the president's credibility and done in a respected and orderly manner.
"Although the party elections have been delayed to March, members must not feel there abuse of power as it was made after a collective agreement," he said.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib said Supreme Council members accepted the postponement to cool down the heated political situation.
"March is the end of the 18 months extension period allowed. Pak Lah also mentioned about the transition of power but did not say when. I believe the postponement had something to do with the transition of power," he said.
"On whether Abdullah would be contesting at the Umno elections, he said the party president would make an announcement before the divisional meetings start.
Vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the postponement decision had unanimous support from members as it would not affect the divisional meetings.
"Postponing divisional meetings will cause a host of problems as preparation like buildings and the dates had already been confirmed," he said.
Meanwhile, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the postponement was a wise move.
He said the postponement would give an opportunity to the leaders at the branch and division levels to resolve matters arising in their respective branches and divisions.
Speaking at a breaking of the fast with community leaders, he said: "The postponement is a positive move as it gives an opportunity to Umno to evaluate and overcome weaknesses arising after the last general election."
-- BERNAMA
original source: Postponement Of Umno Assembly Proves Abdullah Putting Party First ...
Bernama, Malaysia
