Umno emergency meeting to discuss grouses over GE15 candidacy

An “urgent and important” meeting involving Umno division leaders at Menara Dato Onn today is expected to be a heated affair following rumours that some leaders are not satisfied about not being nominated for the next general election (GE15).

(FMT) – An Umno source told FMT the tense situation was giving Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a “headache”, resulting in the call for all division heads to meet at the party headquarters here.

“There were some complaints about (GE15) candidates. There were also arguments last night (at various division meetings), but it’s normal,” the source said.

“The reason behind the complaints is that it has been Umno’s tradition for decades that when someone becomes the division leader, he also becomes the candidate for the parliamentary seat.

“But now, when there are new faces put forward, some leaders are not satisfied. Those who lost in the last general election want to contest again. Once they have lost, that should be it.

“So, this is what is giving Zahid a headache. But he’s strict.”

Among the Umno division leaders seen entering Menara Dato Onn were Kinabatangan Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, Lenggong Umno chief Saarani Mohamad and Johor Bahru Umno chief Shahrir Samad.

However, it is understood that Pasir Salak Umno head Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Ketereh Umno head Annuar Musa and Arau head Shahidan Kassim will not be attending.

Members of the media scrambled to the Umno headquarters after receiving word of the “urgent and immediate” meeting.

A WhatsApp message from Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan sent late last night stated that Zahid and Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan wanted to meet Umno division heads at a special meeting regarding “a very important issue for the party’s future”.

The message, sighted by FMT, said the issue had to be attended to promptly.