THE STAR
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal says it is not appropriate for the Umno supreme council to defy tradition by denying the deputy president the right to speak at the launching of the party’s wings at next month’s general assembly.
In a statement Thursday, the Umno vice-president said that it had been the practice all this while for the deputy president to voice his thoughts and beliefs through speeches when opening the Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies.
Shafie recalled attending his first Umno general assembly in the 70s when he followed his uncle Tun Sakaran.
He said the members then were able to accept ideas and criticisms openly.
“We were fed with constructive speeches and though there were stern remarks made, I could see that every Umno member who attended the meeting was able to accept the speeches and remarks with an open heart.
"Umno is approaching 70 years old and it should be more open and not inclusive to certain individuals.
"Umno does not belong to one member; it belongs to three million members who have defended this party together," he said.
Shafie also reminded party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about his plans to reform the party.
"Not long ago, the party president did voice out and called for Umno to reform; every member at the grassroots had to change to ensure that Umno is always relevant with the times.
"But unfortunately, the process of renewal is incomplete and cannot only happen at the lower levels. It needs the commitment and support at every level, especially from the higher-ups who have the capability to determine this party's direction,” he added.
Shafie said that while he respected the decision of the party, he said the deputy president and the vice-presidents should at least be allowed to speak during the winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly.
On Tuesday, the Umno supreme council decided that the party’s wings assemblies would be launched separately by their respective chiefs.
Najib said the council made the decision because it wanted to ensure a cordial and positive Umno general assembly from Dec 8 to 12.
He also said that the council arrived at the decision after considering the proposals to that effect from the three wings.
Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Shafie were not spotted at the meeting.
Muhyiddin responded on his Facebook post Wednesday, saying that he would not keep quiet and would continue to talk about his rights though he was not allowed to deliver any speech at the Umno general assembly.
