Opening of three UMNO wings without deputy president not an issue - UMNO veterans

The delegates meeting of three UMNO wings, namely Wanita, Youth and Puteri at the UMNO General Assembly next month which will not be opened by the UMNO deputy president is not an issue to be blown up to affect the party.

Several UMNO veterans viewed that continuous debate on the matter would only weaken the largest Malay party, especially at the grassroots level.

Former UMNO Wanita chief, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said what was more important was for the leadership at all grassroot levels to implement their responsibilities wholeheartedly and more seriously in the struggle for the

party's objectives.

"The question of opening is a small matter...the important thing is for all at the grassroots to work seriously with commitment. Disputes between leaders should not be a cause to break up UMNO at the grassroots.

"Individuals are not important...as individuals can come and go," she said when contacted by Bernama today.

Rafidah said the priority now was for UMNO members to struggle in the interest of the party and not for any particular individual.

She stressed that UMNO needed to be strengthened if it wanted to continue being relevant and to lead the nation.

The UMNO Supreme Council meeting Tuesday decided that the three meetings will be officiated by their respective movement heads.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also UMNO president said the decision was made following the proposal by all the wings concerned.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the decision was not something in conflict with the party constitution even though it was the practice of the party before this.

He said a change in the practice of the party could take place if there was consensus at the Supreme Council.

"So, what is practice all this while can be changed if there is agreement, the matter is not something of an injustice.

"A new decision can be made to change all resolutions or practices as long as the matter is not in conflict with the party constitution.

"Maybe, the issue can be a question or riddle among political observers but I see the questions have already been answered by the UMNO president," he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Abu Bakar Lajim said no individual should be emotional with the decision taken by the UMNO Supreme Council.

"Change made by the party president is according to the desire of many and the decision today, actually opens opportunities for Wanita, Puteri and Youth heads as the younger generation will one day be leading the party.

"With this, the followers of each wing will be able to see the capability of their leaders in bringing the party agenda as UMNO is now led by a visionary top leadership," he said when contacted by Bernama.