Umno puts off party polls to after GE 
Malaysiakini
Sep 28, 2006

Umno has decided today to adjourn party polls until after the next general election, which must be held before March 2009.

Party president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision to postpone the party election was decided at the party’s Supreme Council meeting today.

The party polls were originally scheduled to be held next year while the last Umno election was in 2004.

Abdullah said that postponing the Umno election was done so that party leaders can fully concentrate on winning the general election first.

He added that this was not a new move by the party as Umno polls were put off before the 1999 and 2004 general elections. 

“Such a practice had clearly been beneficial for the party where it could give full concentration on national development and implementing projects in the interest of the rakyat,” Abdullah was quoted as saying in Bernama.

Under the party constitution, Umno supreme council - the party's highest decision-making body - can put off its polls for up to 18 months.

Abdullah made the announcement at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Umno supreme council this evening.

The announcement sparked off speculations that a snap general election might be called by Abdullah.

However, Abdullah did not say when the general election would be held.

The last general election was held on March 1, 2004 which Abdullah won with a massive landslide, bagging over 90 percent of the seats and making him the most popular prime minister ever.

Unsatisfied party cadre

But in recent months he has come under severe criticism from his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had openly questioned Abdullah’s leadership.

Mahathir has accused Abdullah’s government of corruption and that his handpicked successor had allowed his family members to enrich themselves with government contracts.

Today’s move by Umno to postpone the party polls has also prompted political observers to note that the decision might have been done with a view to deter anyone from contesting against Abdullah for the top post in the party.

“There is no doubt that there are some disconcerted Umno members who believe Abdullah is not fit to lead them,” said an observer.

“As such, it would come as no surprise that some of them are making silent moves to put up a candidate to oppose him. Even if they don’t win, any substantial opposition to Abdullah in the party will not bode well for the government which has to face the general election soon after.”

Observers say that now with the potential party contest being successfully put aside, Abdullah can concentrate on regaining the public confidence in the run-up to the next general election.