Dr M Fails In Bid To Be Kubang Pasu Umno Delegate

Dr M Fails In Bid To Be Kubang Pasu Umno Delegate


Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad failed a key test of his support on Saturday, as ruling party members in his home state rejected his bid to become a delegate who can address the party’s annual congress.

The defeat marks a dramatic blow for Mahathir, who has accused Malaysia’s current leadership of trying to prevent him from voicing grievances against the government during the United Malays National Organization’s general assembly in November.

Mahathir will be invited to the UMNO congress as the party’s former president, but he wants to be able to give a speech _ a right typically reserved for top current office-bearers and delegates representing UMNO’s nearly 200 local divisions.

Roughly 470 UMNO members in Mahathir’s former parliamentary constituency, Kubang Pasu in the northern state of Kedah, cast ballots Saturday to choose seven delegates from a roster of 15 candidates, including Mahathir and his son, Mukhriz.

Even though Kubang Pasu had been considered Mahathir’s political stronghold since the 1970s, Mahathir only came in ninth at Saturday’s election, obtaining votes from just 227 members, officials announced. Mukhriz made the cut, ranking fifth among the top seven vote-winners.

In a speech, Kubang Pasu’s UMNO division chief Johari Baharum urged Mahathir to settle his grievances with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, stressing that no one should ruin the party merely due to differences of opinion.’

Mahathir, 81, who retired in 2003 after 22 years in power, attended the gathering, but left nearly two hours before the results were announced.

Mukhriz said he informed his father of the result, and that they both were disappointed.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has denied any attempt to manipulate the vote. However, senior UMNO officials earlier urged Mahathir to abandon his plan to become a local delegate, saying the position is unworthy of his stature as a former premier.

Mahathir has said if he isn’t elected, UMNO leaders could claim his influence has dwindled and that his current opinions have failed to resonate with members.

In recent months, Mahathir has launched stinging criticism of Abdullah, his hand-picked successor, accusing him of mishandling national interests and of allowing his family to influence his decisions.

Abdullah and Cabinet ministers have dismissed Mahathir’s criticism and warned that UMNO should avoid unnecessary debate that could split the party, which has led the government for nearly 50 years.

Mahathir first expressed displeasure last year by accusing the government of not protecting the national car maker, which he had championed. He stepped up attacks after Abdullah scrapped plans this year for a new bridge between Malaysia and Singapore, which Mahathir proposed.


Dr M Fails In Bid To Be Kubang Pasu Umno Delegate

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed in his bid to get elected as a delegate of the Kubang Pasu Umno division to the Umno General Assembly in November.

The former prime minister, who garnered 227 votes, came in ninth of the 15 candidates who contested for the seven elected delegates.

The results were announced at 5.08pm by the Alor Star Umno division head Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanifah who was the Kedah Umno liaison committee representative.

The moment the results were announced, many observers walked out of the meeting hall and some were visibly unhappy with the results.

Dr Mahathir was not at the hall when the results were announced. He is believed to have returned to Kuala Lumpur.

In the morning, Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, were seated at the guest seat during the opening of the meeting by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

They moved to the observers seat at the back of the meeting hall when the meeting started at noon.

Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah left the hall at about 2pm and are believed to have returned to Kuala Lumpur after cancelling their visit to Langkawi.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir's son, Datuk Mukhriz, who received 289 votes, emerged fifth and was among the division's seven elected delegates to the three-day assembly.

The Kubang Pasu Umno delegates conference hogged the limelight when Dr Mahathir, who is also former Umno president, offered to contest as a delegate.

The meeting, held at Dewan Wawasan, the biggest hall in the Kubang Pasu district, was attended by 472 representatives from 138 branches.

Dr Mahathir's name was No. 1 on the candidates' list while Mukhriz was 10th.

Prior to the meeting, there were efforts to persuade Dr Mahathir to withdraw from the contest so as not to lower his stature as a statesman but they proved futile.

Dr Mahathir, who helmed the division for 30 years, said recently some quarters were trying to block him from contesting but this was denied by division chief Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.


Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad lost in his bid to represent the Umno Kubang Pasu division at the Umno general assembly in November.

He polled 227 votes and came in 9th among the 17 candidates vying to be part of the seven divisional delegates (G7).

His son Mukhriz made the cut by polling 289 votes which was the 5th highest number of votes.

The results were announced at 5.05pm by Umno Alor Setar chief Ahmad Bashah Hanifah who was coordinating the delegates poll.

Mahathir was seen leaving the hall where the divisional annual meet was held at about 3.30pm.

Never before in UMNO or any political party history has the election for a party delegate been treated as important as election for the post of the party president.

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'Sampul coklat misteri' di Kelab Darulaman punca Mahathir kalah?

Banyak pihak menyebut, kalaulah tidak kerana pertemuan khas bersama perwakilan Umno Bahagian Kubang Pasu pada malam 8 September lalu di Kelab Golf Darulaman, Bandar Baru Darulaman, di sini kemungkinan peluang bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad terpilih dalam G7 masih ada.

"Inilah masanya kita singkirkan Dr Mahathir," khabarnya diucapkan pada perwakilan di kelab tersebut oleh seorang yang suatu ketika dulu amat rapat dengan Tun Mahathir dan pernah memegang jawatan penting di Kedah.

'Sampul coklat misteri'

Namun misteri kandungan sampul surat biasa berwarna coklat dan putih yang dilihat diagihkan kepada ketua-ketua zon di dalam sebuah bilik persidangan di kelab yang sama lebih menimbulkan tanda tanya.

Ketua zon adalah pihak yang mewakili beberapa Umno Cawangan di seluruh Bahagian dan di Kubang Pasu terdapat 11 zon semuanya.

Difahamkan jumlah sampul coklat lebih banyak dari sampul putih dan sampul putih lebih panjang ukurannya berbanding yang berwarna coklat.

Lebih dari itu, tindakan menutup bidai pada dinding kaca bilik dengan serta merta apabila ada 'lembaga' dari luar yang memerhatikan 'pergerakan sampul surat' menambahkan persoalan.

Yang ada di dalam bilik itu adalah ketua-ketua zon dan orang penting di kalangan Umno Bahagian Kubang Pasu.

Ada yang mendakwa sampul itu berisi wang di antara RM200 ke RM300.

Johari akui pertemuan di Kelab Darulaman

Ketua Umno Bahagian Kubang Pasu, Dato' Johari Baharom pada sidang media selepas berakhirnya Mesyuarat Agung Umno Bahagian Kubang Pasu di Dewan Wawasan di sini mengakui memang ada pertemuan di antara pihaknya dengan perwakilan pada malam 8 September di Kelab Golf Darulaman.

Itu pertemuan biasa katanya kerana dah lama pihak cawangan mahu adakan pertemuan bersama beliau.

Johari juga ditanya adakah sebab utama kekalahan Tun Mahathir berpunca dari pertemuan malam itu, namun beliau menjawab itu adalah pertemuan biasa.

Ditanya adakah benar, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Osman Aroff ada berucap meminta perwakilan agar tidak mengundi Tun Mahathir, Johari menyuruh wartawan bertanya sendiri pada Osman.

"Itu saya tak tahu, kena tanya sendiri pada beliau," jawab Johari pada wartawan.

Johari juga menyatakan bahawa sebab itulah beliau meminta Tun Mahathir menarik diri dari bertanding, katanya,"Kami di sini tahu bagaimana gambaran sebenar, mereka tak mahu letak Tun di tempat itu (sebagai perwakilan Bahagian)."

"Saya dah tulis surat, Tun patut tarik diri, kerana tak banyak pencalonan, ini dibuat (pencalonan) oleh pihak-pihak tertentu," sambung Johari.

Ditanya siapa pihak-pihak tertentu itu, Johari menyatakan ia ada dari dalam dan luar parti.

"I tak tahu apa dia nak"

Menjawab pergolakan Tun Mahathir-Abdullah Badawi, Johari bersetuju bahawa tindakan Tun Mahathir sekarang ini (membongkar kelemahan pentadbiran Abdullah) sebagai tindakan yang tak betul.

"Tindakan (Tun Mahathir) sekarang ini tak betullah, boleh bincang, kalau marah anak jangan marah depan khalayak ramai, panggil elok-elok," ujarnya.

Johari juga menyatakan bahawa keputusan menolak Tun Mahathir sebagai perwakilan adalah tanda sayang Umno Kubang Pasu kepada bekas Perdana Menteri itu.

"Saya tak ada masalah dengan Tun, kerap jumpa, 'last one month ago' saya jumpa, saya selalu jumpa dia, bila dia letak diri dia macam tu, dia kena terima, kalau dia sebagai bekas Presiden (Umno) dia tak payah lawan, kita boleh bagi tempat khas pada dia (di Perhimpunan Agung Umno), negeri pun dah buat keputusan tak bagi dia bercakap, I tak tahu apa dia nak?" jelas Johari lagi.

Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri itu juga menafikan bahawa ada arahan dari MKT Umno (Majlis Kerja Tertinggi) untuk mengenepikan Tun Mahathir sebagai perwakilan Kubang Pasu.

"MKT tak ada arahan, orang Perlis semua lalu sini, Agong pun lalu sini, tu jalan depan tu (Lebuh raya Utara Selatan), Setiausaha Umno pun lalu sini, tak pernah ada pertemuan, kalau dia lalu, singgah kedai kopi sembang dengan sapa-sapa itu saya tak tahu la," ujar beliau.

Kata-kata Johari," selesai masalah dah" sebaik sahaja bangun menamatkan sidang media di sambut gelak ketawa, para wartawan hanya memandang antara sama sama lain.

Anwar Ibrahim diselar MB Kedah

Mesyuarat tersebut dirasmikan Menteri Besar Kedah, Dato' Seri Mahdzir Khalid, antara kandungan ucapannya, beliau turut menyelar tindakan bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang menjelajah seluruh negara untuk mengkritik kepimpinan kerajaan.

Namun tidak pula dinyatakan apakah yang dikritik oleh Anwar.

Tun Mahathir tiba sebagai pemerhati bersama isterinya Dr Siti Hasmah dan disambut laungan 'hidup Mahathir' yang bergema di Dewan Wawasan, Jitra.

Sepanjang majlis perasmian, beliau ditemani bekas Menteri Besar Kedah, Tan Sri Osman Aroff yang duduk di sebelahnya.

Bekas Presiden Umno itu juga turut bersarapan bersama pimpinan Umno Bahagian yang lain, bagaimanapun Mahdzir tidak bersama atas alasan akan ke Langkawi untuk merasmikan mesyuarat Agung Bahagian tersebut.

Tun Mahathir meninggalkan Dewan Wawasan kira-kira jam 2.00 petang, mesyuarat yang dijadualkan disambung pada jam 3.00 petang terpaksa menanti hingga jam 3.45 petang kerana tidak cukup korum, seperti yang diumumkan oleh Timbalan Pengerusi Tetap.

Keputusan pemilihan G7 diumumkan wakil Umno Kedah, Dato' Ahmad Bashah Md. Haniffa kira-kira jam 5.05 petang menyaksikan Dr.Mahathir tewas dengan hanya memenangi tempat ke sembilan dari 15 orang calon.

Beliau memperolehi 227 undi dari 472 perwakilan, sementara itu anaknya, Dato' Mukhriz menang di tempat kelima dengan 289 undi, Bashah juga mengumumkan terdapat 10 undi rosak dan satu kertas undi tidak diserahkan kembali.


No reason to stop Dr M, says Rais

No obstacle was placed in the path of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad seeking to be a delegate to the Umno general assembly.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said there was no reason for the Umno leadership to prevent Dr Mahathir from doing what he wanted.

"If he is being prevented from seeking the representative’s position, then that is not fair. It is against party regulations.

"As far as I know, no such thing is happening," he told reporters after opening the Human Rights Day conference here, yesterday.

Rais, also Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, said proof of political freedom was the fact that former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was allowed to hold lectures and give speeches.

At the Padang Rengas Umno division meeting yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Dr Mahathir would not have been a great leader and respected worldwide if he had been outside Umno.

He said the party was one of the elements which enabled Dr Mahathir to have an illustrious 22-year leadership.

Nazri: The secret of Dr M’s success

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has exposed three “secrets” behind Tun Dr Mahahtir’s outstanding leadership – Umno; support from party members; and full support for his leadership.

It was Umno that had turned Dr Mahathir into a respected and remarkable leader, he said when opening Padang Rengas Umno division meeting yesterday.

“Tun would not have gotten where he is now if he had not chosen Umno as the platform to pursue his political career,” said the Padang Rengas Umno division chief.

“It was also because of the strong support given by Umno members that he was able to weather all kinds of problems inside and outside the party.

“Under his leadership, we also ensured that he was the only captain of the ship,” he said in his speech.

“We want him to support Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) as the captain, just as what we have supported him,” he said.

Nazri said his bluntness towards Dr Mahathir was not because he did not respect the former Umno president.

“What I have done is to protect Umno. I love the party more.”

“Umno will be destroyed if we allow two captains to rule,” he said.


In another development, Najib wants Koh to prove he is CM for all races.Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to be steadfast in the true sense of being a chief minister for all.

He reiterated that the government was against the rotation of the chief ministership in the state, but stressed that Koh should represent all, including the Malays.

"What is important is the fact that the Barisan Nasional-led Government is against the rotation of the chief minister’s post," Najib said.

"However, this does not mean that we are not serious in addressing the Malay issues in Penang. We are doing all this based on the Barisan Nasional spirit.

"In fact, Koh himself had promised me that he would be a chief minister for all races." (more)




Malaysia Ahmad Badawi Mahathir Penang Koh Tsu Koon Penang Najib Razak Kubang Pasu