FMT:
More suspensions loom as Umno Youth battle shapes up
A party insider says that proxies of Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Shahril Hamdan are likely to clash in the battle to head the Youth wing.
Elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the national level will be held on March 11.
PETALING JAYA: More Umno members may be suspended as the battle for the post of Umno Youth chief shapes up, according to a knowledgeable party insider.
The battle to head Umno Youth will be fought between proxies Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who is stepping down, and his former deputy Shahril Hamdan who was among those suspended for six years by the party recently.
The party source claimed that there would be further suspensions of those not aligned to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The suspensions were likely to be carried out on the pretence of disciplining the members for alleged involvement in money politics or for breaching party rules.
“Just like earlier suspensions, they will be deliberately vague. But this time, the reason won’t be about the recent general election.” Umno suffered its worst electoral outing in the November parliamentary elections, winning only 26 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.
The source said that those on the “target list” include Subang Umno chief Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, as he is not seen as being aligned to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Among other contenders for the Umno Youth chief’s post are Youth secretary Hasmuni Hassan and Federal Territories Youth chief Mohamed Nizham Abdullah Hamidi.
The source said that while Hasmuni has the backing of the party’s leadership, Nizham is seen as having the support of the grassroots and those disenchanted with Zahid who was blamed by a section of the party for the poor performance of Umno and Barisan Nasional at GE15.
The source said there are efforts to “scare people” into voting for the status quo, and there were also concerns over the integrity of the party polls, with fears about the possible barring of candidates’ representatives from being present when votes are being counted at the divisions.
The source alleged that leaders were issuing “subtle warnings” that those who did not toe the party line could face the same fate as the Umno leaders who were recently sacked and suspended.
“This is why many may feel hesitant to campaign openly for those seen as candidates supporting reforms in the party,” said the source. “Umno’s leadership has shown they are not afraid to take action against members without good reason or evidence.”
Last month, the party booted out former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar for breaching party discipline during GE15.
Umno also suspended Shahril, former vice-president and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, Maulizan Bujang and Salim Sharif for six years.
Umno’s elections are being held from Feb 1-March 18. Branch-level elections are being held from Feb 1-26, followed by the elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the national level on March 11.
The divisional elections as well as contests for seats on the Umno Supreme Council will be held on March 18.
PETALING JAYA: More Umno members may be suspended as the battle for the post of Umno Youth chief shapes up, according to a knowledgeable party insider.
The battle to head Umno Youth will be fought between proxies Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who is stepping down, and his former deputy Shahril Hamdan who was among those suspended for six years by the party recently.
The party source claimed that there would be further suspensions of those not aligned to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The suspensions were likely to be carried out on the pretence of disciplining the members for alleged involvement in money politics or for breaching party rules.
“Just like earlier suspensions, they will be deliberately vague. But this time, the reason won’t be about the recent general election.” Umno suffered its worst electoral outing in the November parliamentary elections, winning only 26 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.
The source said that those on the “target list” include Subang Umno chief Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, as he is not seen as being aligned to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Among other contenders for the Umno Youth chief’s post are Youth secretary Hasmuni Hassan and Federal Territories Youth chief Mohamed Nizham Abdullah Hamidi.
The source said that while Hasmuni has the backing of the party’s leadership, Nizham is seen as having the support of the grassroots and those disenchanted with Zahid who was blamed by a section of the party for the poor performance of Umno and Barisan Nasional at GE15.
The source said there are efforts to “scare people” into voting for the status quo, and there were also concerns over the integrity of the party polls, with fears about the possible barring of candidates’ representatives from being present when votes are being counted at the divisions.
The source alleged that leaders were issuing “subtle warnings” that those who did not toe the party line could face the same fate as the Umno leaders who were recently sacked and suspended.
“This is why many may feel hesitant to campaign openly for those seen as candidates supporting reforms in the party,” said the source. “Umno’s leadership has shown they are not afraid to take action against members without good reason or evidence.”
Last month, the party booted out former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar for breaching party discipline during GE15.
Umno also suspended Shahril, former vice-president and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, Maulizan Bujang and Salim Sharif for six years.
Umno’s elections are being held from Feb 1-March 18. Branch-level elections are being held from Feb 1-26, followed by the elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the national level on March 11.
The divisional elections as well as contests for seats on the Umno Supreme Council will be held on March 18.
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