Ku Li, Mukhriz reject 'no EGM' call

Two outspoken Umno leaders have rejected party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call to Umno members to stop holding extraordinary general meetings to discuss party problems.

Party veteran and Gua Musang division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said it is the Umno members’ right to hold an EGM and to voice their views under the party constitution.

"If they want to have an EGM, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It is allowed by the party constitution," he told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the 12th Parliament today.

He said if members are barred from holding EGMs, they will seek other "illegal" channels outside of the party - such as holding street demonstrations - which should not be encouraged.

"You can’t control the feelings of people. If you want everybody to stereotype, you should just hand down a piece of paper for them to repeat what you want to say," stressed Razaleigh, who is also Gua Musang MP.

The party veteran, who has stated his intention to challenge Abdullah for the Umno presidency in December, also reiterated his proposal that Umno should hold an EGM for members to air their views in the aftermath of the March 8 polls.

"What I don’t understand is why won’t the party supreme council organise one (EGM) for everybody to come and discuss the issue rather than sometimes allow it and sometimes discourage it," he said when asked on whether he anticipates more divisions to hold an EGM.

"We should get everybody together and let’s discuss it, why go on in a state of denial? You have lost, you have lost, everybody knows here," Razaleigh added.

The Gua Musang division is one of the three divisions which held EGMs so far. The others are Batu Pahat and the Cheras divisions.

Abdullah said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday that there is "no need" for the divisions to hold EGMs to discuss party problems or to call for leaders to step down.

He said he was aware of what the people wanted and that the people would support Umno if it could prove that it would not be side-tracked by internal bickering.

Commenting on the same matter, Umno Youth exco Mukhriz Mahathir said it was wrong for Abdullah to ask members to stop holding EGMs.

"I think it is not right for the president himself to say EGMs are not needed, as it is the right of the members at the division level to determine whether the EGMs are needed or not," said the Jerlun MP when met at the same venue.

"At this point, not many (divisions) have held their EGMs. Perhaps many do not want to hold EGMs, but for the few who do want to hold EGMs, let them have it.

"We want the voices of Umno members at the grassroots level to be heard," Mukhriz added.

The Umno Youth leader also said he understands that Abdullah would be meeting with all heads of branches and called for the views of members to be directly channeled to the president.

"If they come from all around the country to meet the prime minister but are not allowed to speak up, I think there is no point (in having those meetings)," he argued.

Umno information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib however supported Abdullah’s call, saying the EGMs did not bring any benefit for the party except causing uncertainties.

"It will frigthen the people and jeopardise the economy. It’s been one-and-a-half months and people see us as yet to settle down. It’s time for us to go back to work," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

The rural and regional development minister also said the people’s voice were already heard through the general election.

"If the people have already spoken, why is there is a need for EGM anymore? That was the people’s voice, louder than the EGM’s voice," said Muhammad.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein meanwhile said it is more important for members to focus on their responsibilities and tasks.

"What was said (by Abdullah) was just an advice," he said.