UMNO Penang urging Shariff Omar to reconsider

Umno Penang liaison chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said Umno would be a party filled with oldies if leaders do not make way for the young generation of leaders.

“This is part of the transformation process. If we allowed the old candidates fight against the newer ones, Umno won’t be making any transformation. Umno will remain in the prehistoric era as everyone wants to hold on to their position until they die,” he said.

He said, the time has come for experienced leaders to help rejuvenation the political party and give way for the new line up to take over.

Zainal was asked to comment about the former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar announcement to contest in the Tasek Gelugor parliament as an independent candidate that supported Pakatan Rakyat. Shariff was disappointed when he was not fielded as a BN candidate for the 13th General Election. He was under the impression the seat was only ‘borrowed’ for another candidate in the last election.

According to Zainal, they hope Shariff will reconsider his intention as BN needs the support and services of all its members especially the veterans.

He added that Shariff should reconsider as the Umno and BN candidates contesting for the parliament and three state seats were his supporters.

“I think it would be best if he would reconsider his decision as the candidates were his own people,” said Zainal.

On the selection of candidates, Zainal explained that it was made based on several factors considered by BN, who will be able to serve if given a chance.

In the 2008 general election, Shariff made way for Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop to contest in the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat at the request of the then BN Chairman , Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Nor Mohamed won against Pas candidate Ismail Salleh with a majority of 4,547 votes.

Shariff defeated Pas Pulau Pinang deputy commissioner Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa with a big majority of 10, 183 votes in 2004.

BN announced its candidate list yesterday naming Umno Tasek Gelugor division chief Shahbudin Yahya as the candidate for the parliamentary seat. He is moving from his Permatang Berangan state seat.

Zainal is also confident that BN candidates will get the support based on the positive feedback after the announcement on Tuesday.

He believes that some protest voices only represented part of the Umno members and did not affect the party work.

When asked about the names of the Umno members involved in sabotage if they will be sent to the disciplinary board for further action, Zainal said actions will be taken only if they are proven to be guilty of sabotage.

“We will wait until Mei 20 (nomination day). If they show up as independent atau as Pakatan Rakyat’s candidates, automatically they will be expelled from the party, we don’t have to wait for the committee (observers) to make a report,” he said.

Meanwhile, Umno disciplinary board chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen refused to comment on this matter.

“I have nothing to say about this matter,” he said.