SHAH ALAM, March 8 — UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded candidates contesting in the UMNO election that winning in the party election will not be a passport to be announced as candidates in the coming state election.
Candidates must be reminded that winning in the UMNO election will not mean that the party will select them automatically as candidates for the state elections that is expected to be held in six states after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, because there are other criteria that will be taken into account and considered.
“In Selangor, God Willing, we will work hard to be part of the state government after the state election. That is probably why so many candidates are eager to contest for the various posts this time around,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Selangor has sent 79 candidates, the highest number of nominations for the UMNO election and they are set to contest for various posts in the party.
“We hope the party election will not be a platform to seek candidacy for the state election or personal glory,” he said in his speech during the introduction of candidates who will be contesting for Vice Presidents, Supreme Council and Exco, here tonight.
Also present were UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is also the Defence Minister and State UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.
Six states, namely Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah are expected to call for their respective state election soon.
Winning candidates must instead unite and strengthen the party’s struggle while those who are defeated must remain loyal to the party and continue to offer their services to the party and not leave UMNO.
The Wanita, Youth and Puteri Umno division delegates meetings and committee elections as well as the central Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri Umno Exco elections will be held simultaneously throughout the country on March 11.
The Umno division delegates and committee elections as well as the Umno supreme council elections will be held simultaneously nationwide on March 18.
