'Abdullah has set a new deadline'
Although Umno has delayed its elections for another three months, the supreme council is expecting a decision from its party president before Oct 9.
Although Umno has delayed its elections for another three months, the supreme council is expecting a decision from its party president before Oct 9.
Leading critic of the transition plan, vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin said although there is a postponement, he hopes that members will be patient as Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has promised to announce "something" before the party divisions begin their meetings next month.
Asked to comment on the deferment, Muhyiddin said: "I'm glad that the supreme council accepted the decision announced by Pak Lah very well.
"That the divisional meetings will go on (from Oct 9 to Nov 9) as planned and the division leaders can proceed with the nominations and other matters as planned."
This, he added, is the correct decision as the divisions want to go on with their own elections.
"Whatever is decided by the supreme council (today) will not interrupt the divisions' plans," said Muhyddin.
Uphold Umno tradition
On the postponement of party polls to ease the transfer of power, he said: "For me personally, the president and his deputy had already discussed this among themselves after taking into account grassroots' sentiments.
"Perhaps, they think this is in the best interest of party unity," said Muyhiddin, who is international trade and industry minister.
"Whatever way the transition plan proceeds, it must be done in such a way so that the president does not lose integrity and is dignified.
"Thirdly, as the deputy president has said, the Umno tradition must be upheld," said Muhyiddin.
He also hopes that the reasonable postponement will be accepted by all members and that it is not seen as an abuse of power.
"This is a magnanimous decision by the president as Abdullah has considered the views of everyone and has acted in the interest of the party.
On when Abdullah will step down, Muhyiddin said the party president has already promised to make an announcement before the start of the divisional meetings.
"Pak Lah did not say if he will step down but he told supreme council that it is in line with the transition plan which has been brought ahead of time," said Muhyiddin.
He told the eager journalists to be patient and await an announcement before Oct 9.
On the lack of certainty in the proposed announcement by Abdullah later, Muhyiddin said: "There has to be a certain level of trust in the decision made by the leadership today."
Explaining further, he said the transition was earlier planned for 2010 but the postponement of party polls is to facilitate an earlier transition.
"You can analyse what it means but to me it may mean a new deadline. But let's leave it to the president to make the so-called announcement.
"He said he will do it before Oct 9 and by then the divisions will have a clear indication on whether he will defend his post or not. So, let's not pre-empt what will be. I cannot go beyond that."
Council members keep mum
Other supreme councils were less open in their answers on what transpired at the meeting.
When asked, president-in-waiting Najib Abdul Razak said this follows Umno's tradition and at the same time they had taken into account the views of party members.
"We've taken cognisance of the views of the divisions and party members as a whole.
"So I think there is a lot of wisdom in this decision," said Najib as he entered his car before leaving the Umno headquarters.
On whether Abdullah will step down in March, the Umno deputy president said: "We'll address that later."
Information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib told reporters that the decision to postpone the party polls was good for all, "for the president and the party".
He said that all supreme council members welcomed the decision as it helped ease the tension surrounding the party's transition plan.
Another supreme council member Rahim Thamby Chik described the decision as "unanimous".
Asked why the meeting was shorter than usual, Rahim said this was because of the "unified" stand to postpone the elections to next March.
The former Malacca chief minister revealed the decision was reached by consensus and no voting was carried out.
He declined to comment when asked if supreme council debated the issue.
Meanwhile, Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz suggested the premier would step down earlier than planned.
"We agreed with what was said, it was a comprehensive decision. It is to facilitate an earlier transition, so take it as that," she said.
In a press statement this afternoon, party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is vying for the president post, slammed both Abdullah and Najib over the power transfer plan.
"I think I speak for the country when I say we are embarrassed at the sight of two grown men playing this endless children's game of 'yours and mine' with the most important responsibility in the land, oblivious of the law, oblivious to the damage they are doing to the nation.
"Instead of a national economic plan or any kind of reform all the Umno leadership has given us since March 8 is a transition plan designed to save two individuals from the inconvenience of facing elections. Their personal careers appear to be more important than the future of the nation."
