Zaid Warns Against Umno Going Back To Old Election System

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Zaid Ibrahim said money politics will flourish if Umno were to revert to its system where only 3,000 delegates decide on the party leadership.
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has poured cold water over a suggestion for Umno to return to an old election system, calling it a regressive move that could undermine democratic participation within the party.
In the latest episode of his podcast, Zaid was asked for his views if Umno were to revert to its system where 12 members of each division were allowed to cast their votes in choosing the party’s national leadership.
He said the current system, introduced during Najib Razak’s tenure as Umno president, was more democratic because it allowed a larger pool of delegates – about 150,000 – to take part in the party elections.
“The changes made during Najib’s time were the right ones because they expanded voting rights beyond a select few. If Umno returns to the old system, where only about 3,000 delegates decide the leadership, then money politics will flourish,” he said.
On Monday, Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin said the party is mulling amending its electoral process as part of a broader structural change in view of current challenges.
In July last year, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying the party was prepared to look into proposals to amend regulations on its election system.
He said this when asked to comment on claims that Umno was planning to revert to its system where delegates would choose the party’s top office bearers.
Zaid said such a move would only benefit “those with financial resources”.
However, he said Zahid should have no fear continuing with the current system given the lack of strong challengers to his leadership.
“Who would even dare to challenge Zahid?” he said.
The Umno elections are expected to be held next year. - FMT

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