Too late for Umno to hold EGM, polls defeat collective responsibility of all, say experts
The party has thousands of party machinery members consisting of branch and division committee members in every Parliament in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan. “So, why is it that when they lose a general election or state polls, only the president is required to step down? Why are Umno branch and division leaders unwilling to do so voluntarily or under pressure for an easier dissolution of Umno?”
(Sinar Daily) – The poor performance of Umno in the recent state election has led many to place the blame on its President, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been urged to resign immediately.
Political analysts have also suggested for an extraordinary meeting (EGM) or a re-election to select top leadership including the post of president and deputy president to be held as soon as possible.
This is to allow Umno grassroots to select the leadership lineup capable to rejuvenate and to regain public support before its fall in 2018.
However, socio-political analyst from the Universiti Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL), Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it is too late and irrelevant for Umno to hold EGM to re-elect the top leadership.
“Umno should have had EGM before the state elections to show to the rakyat especially the Malays and supporters that its internal crisis has ended, to show strength, unity and the ability to work as a team in the state elections.
“This is because the victory ot defeat of a party is the responsibility of the party and not solely the fault of one leader,” he told Sinar.
Awang Azman also believes that Umno has other mechanism such as political bureau and supreme council meetings to discuss its defeat in the six state elections.
Umno Veterans secretary-general Datuk Mustapha Yaakub said the proposal to hold an EGM is only a suggestion from certain parties but it is not stipulated in the party’s constitution.
He further said all Umno leaders from the president to branch and grassroots leaders should take responsibility of Umno’s severe defeat and not just urge the president to resign.
