UMNO Cracks Widening Openly in Perlis; Other leaders Call for Patching Up and stop showing Unwashed undergarments in Public; Fight on UMNO Seats

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The hallmark of UMNO is lack of transparency and this has always been reflected in the running of the affairs of the Government. Everything to be done in a way from the glare of publicity and should be conducted in secrecy and NOT openly. This is the meaning of the existence of the OSA. And the gall for Ali Rustum to suggest the party has “dignity” to safeguard and hold their heads above water. They don’t want people to know how things are conducted and that decisions made are above board. What it means it that there is plenty of irregularities to hide for the corrupted.

The infighting in the state of Perlis reflects on this scenario and the cracks are showing and the leaders are trying to patch them up by hiding by not openly discussing them. In the run-up to the GE, the tussle for power is evident – the fight for survival – the winner takes all situation. UMNO secretary Radzi openly declare a need for a change of leadership there but the UMNO leaders one by one warn of not hanging unwashed undergarments in public. Surprisingly the MPS from Perlis are all installed without “grassroots” support and allow attending divisional meetings

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December 30, 2007 21:50 PM
Najib: Perlis Umno Woes Should Not Be Discussed Openly

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Perlis Umno leadership woes should not be discussed openly as they could have major implications. Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. "We don't want the matter to be discussed openly because it could lead to major repercussions," he told reporters after meeting senior Sabah state administration and federal officials here today.

Najib was asked to comment on remarks by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad yesterday that it was time for a change in the Perlis Umno leadership, including the need to replace the menteri besar. On another matter, Najib said the government was taking measures to safeguard racial and religious tolerance in the country, including invoking the Internal Security Act on groups bent on creating tension in the country. He gave the assurance that there would not be a repeat of the 1969 racial riots. Earlier, in his speech, Najib urged civil servants to safeguard the strong foundation laid by past leaders which has made Malaysia a stable and peaceful country. He said they should also keep themselves abreast of current developments and global issues.

= == == == = ==December 30, 2007 21:40 PM
Shahidan Denies Claim Of Disunity In Perlis Umno

ABOVE: All is well in Perlis?

KANGAR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today brushed aside a claim of disunity in Perlis Umno, saying he was prepared to immediately set right any internal problem. He also said that he would not divulge openly any internal problem of the party but would discuss it behind closed doors. "Thank you (to Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad) for his comments," he told reporters when asked about Radzi's statement yesterday that Perlis Umno was disunited and that there should be a change in the state leadership, including the replacement of Shahidan.

"I do not know of any major problem. I do not know of any internal problem. There are differences of opinion (among leaders) in every state but all must come together during the elections," he said. Shahidan said his priority was the party's strength, especially with the general election drawing near, and continuous efforts were being taken to consolidate the people's support for Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN). "I take the comments about me positively. I am not important. I can leave at any time. BN and Umno are more important. Anything to do with the party (problems) should be left to the prime minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)," he said. Shahidan, who is also chairman of the Perlis Umno Liaison Committee, said he loved the party and would fulfil the mandate given to him to helm the state. On the change in the state leadership proposed by Radzi, Shahidan said the change should be worked out together.

He also said that he allowed the three members of parliament in Perlis to attend Umno divisional meetings though they did not hold any positions in the divisions. For example, he said, Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Padang Besar member of parliament Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid has been appointed Perlis Umno Liaison Committee information chief and Padang Besar BN chairman though he did not hold any position in the Padang Besar Umno Division. He also said that Radzi, who is Home Affairs Minister and Kangar member of parliament, was at liberty to attend divisional committee meetings though he held no position in the Kangar Umno Division. Similarly, Arau member of parliament Datuk Seri Diraja Syed Razlan Jamalullail could attend the divisional committee meetings though he did not hold any position in the Umno Arau Division, he said. Earlier, Shahidan presented financial aid of RM200 each to 3,000 poor people and single mothers, at the Warisan Complex here.

= == = == = = =December 30, 2007 16:43 PM

Discuss Party Matters Behind Closed Doors - Ali Rustam

KANGAR, Dec 30 (Benama) -- Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam on Sunday urged Umno members to discuss party matters behind closed doors to safeguard the party's dignity. He said the remarks by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad on the position of Perlis menteri besar and weaknesses in the state Umno leadership could give rise to speculations. "It's inappropriate to make such remarks openly. Matters concerning the party should be discussed behind closed doors," he told reporters here in response to Radzi's statement yesterday on the need for a leadership change in Perlis Umno, including replacing the menteri besar -- a post currently held by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

Mohd Ali said everyone should refrain from issuing statements in a similar vein now that the general election was just around the corner. Meanwhile, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Perlis Umno leaders should patch up their differences professionally without outside interference. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Information Minister, said they must seek a middle ground solution so as not to worsen the situation and to preserve party unity in the run up to the next general election. "As a supreme council member, it wouldn't be nice for me to comment on this but I personally feel that the rift between Umno politicians in Perlis should be resolved behind closed doors rather than bickering openly with each other," he said. He told reporters this after attending a carnival organised in conjunction with the 58th anniversary of Kampung Melayu Majidee in Johor Baharu on Sunday. Ahmad Zahid said it was important for Umno leaders to maintain unity and respect one another. "I'm not taking sides here. But in my opinion, it'd be better for them to seek a compromise as the most important thing now is to ensure a Barisan Nasional victory in the elections," he said.

Ahmad Zahid noted that Umno must take measures to strengthen its

position at the grassroots level. "I've instructed Special Affairs Department officers to prepare reports concerning their respective areas. They should be able to identify problems so that efforts can be made to address them," he said.

Another Umno Supreme Council member, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, said

Perlis Umno leaders must find a formula to heal their rift. "I don't want to interfere in this matter but I do feel that efforts must be taken to strengthen the party, not individuals. I don't think the people are interested to know about leadership squabbles because as leaders, we should be resolving problems faced by the people," he said.

Kangar Umno deputy chief Datuk Hashim Suboh brushed off suggestions of disunity among the divisions. Arau Umno Information chief Datuk Abu Bakar Ismail said Radzi's remarks could tarnish the good name of Umno president who had appointed Radzi to the position of Umno secretary-general. He also said that Radzi's statement could adversely affect the party as it moved to solidify its position to face the general election.

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