Party president should officiate UMNO wings' meetings, says UMNO veteran

An UMNO veteran is of the view that the opening of the meetings of the three UMNO wings – Wanita, Youth and Puteri – at the UMNO General Assembly next month should be officiated by party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa said this was important to reflect close relationship between the president and the party wings, as well as grassroots members of the biggest Malay party in the country.

"Ideally, the top man should officiate the meetings. There must be a rapport with the president, if we do not see him, he is not seen as going down to meet the grassroots," he told Bernama in Kampung Rim here Wednesday.

The UMNO Supreme Council on Tuesday decided that the three meetings would be officiated by the respective movement heads following a proposal by the wings concerned.

Abdul Aziz, 92, said a harmonious relation should be cultivated between all party leaders and grassroots members to ensure UMNO could overcome all challenges that came its way.

"When there is good rapport it is easy for the party leader to understand the real problems and to plan how to counter them, this should be emphasised," he said.

As such, he called on all UMNO leaders and members to use the assembly as an avenue to discuss and resolve matters in the interest of the party.

"If anyone wants to topple the leader (in an improper manner) the party and the government will be disarray," said Abdul Aziz, who last attended the assembly in Nov 2012.

Meanwhile, Terengganu UMNO Liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the decision made was a wise step in moving towards the transformation of the Malay party in view of the next general election.

The Terengganu Menteri Besar was also confident that the reform would have a positive impact on the party and that the decision taken by the party was not wrong.

"In fact, it can benefit the party. Through this reform the UMNO wing leaders will also have the opportunity to be more focused on their speeches which will definitely leave an impression on the delegates," he said.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the decision should be accepted by all parties, with an open heart, including UMNO deputy president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The decision is not wrong as it was not stated in the party constitution who should be officiating the meetings," he said.