KUALA LUMPUR: There should be a closed-door convention at every state for Umno members to air their views instead of extraordinary general meetings, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The conventions could be held as long as they did not break up Umno, he said referring to Gua Musang Umno division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's call for an EGM to discuss the recent general election, which had allegedly eroded the people’s support and confidence in Umno.
He was speaking to reporters after launching a book collection on Islam by the National Translation Institute in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid blamed Tengku Razaleigh for Kelantan's downfall and said Tengku Razaleigh and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should stop their criticisms as they were trying to destroy Umno instead of uniting it.
He also said that any differences of opinion should be voiced in a civil manner and not done emotionally.
Fresh from the printers: Ahmad Zahid showing the book ‘Adab Dialog Dalam Islam’ at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair yesterday. With him are the National Translation Institute chairman Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh (centre) and chief executive officer Mohd Khair Ngadiron. — Bernama
“It is normal to have differences in opinion but we must make sure it is based on facts and not emotions to avoid any conflict,” he said.
The Umno supreme council member said Islam allowed differences of opinion but suggested referring to the book Adab Dialog dalam Islam for tips.
When asked if he was hinting at Dr Mahathir who had been making scathing remarks on the leadership, Ahmad Zahid said: “I'm partly hinting at him.”
He also brushed off Pahang Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman's remark that all Umno supreme council members should resign.
At another function, Dr Mahathir agreed that all supreme council members should resign given the dismal performance in the general election but added that “they do not have the guts as they are yes-men.”
