Concerned with infighting, Umno deputy president Abdullah Ahamad Badawi issued a strong reminder yesterday that factionalism should not exist in the party's wings.

"There shouldn't be such a thing like (Youth chief) Hishamuddin (Hussein) faction, (Wanita chief) Rafidah (Aziz) faction, and (Puteri Umno chief) Azalina (Othman) faction," said Abdullah who is also deputy prime minister.

The Umno leader said this in his opening address when officiating the wings' annual meet at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Although he did not elaborate on the matter, it is believed that Abdullah is troubled by the crisis plaguing Puteri Umno following allegations of sexual impropriety and corruption involving its leader.

As a result of the charges, a split occurred in the one-year-old wing set up to attract younger women into the ruling party's fold and it is speculated that Azalina will be challenged when Puteri Umno holds its inaugural election this October.

Abdullah told delegates that the party's wings were important components and must remain united under the leadership of their respective chiefs.

He added that party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the prime minister, deserved the loyalty of all members to safeguard Umno's strength in order for the party to continue fighting for the Malays.

Real competition

Abdullah also devoted a sizable portion of his 90-minute speech to explain why it is time for the Malays to experience real competition, namely in the education and economic spheres.

He said this was the reason why the government decided to adopt the meritocracy system for student entry into public and private institutions of higher learning.

However, he was quick to add that the decision should not be construed as Umno giving in to the demands of the non-Malays and compromising the special privileges accorded to the Malays.

"Umno and the government will not compromise on the issue of Malay special privileges. Umno will continue to protect them as it is part and partial of the party's struggle," he said.

Last year, when Mahathir announced that the meritocracy system would be implemented, there was strong opposition from various quarters, including Umno Youth.

Soccer blues

Meanwhile, the football World Cup fever did not spare the Umno gathering last night. Hundreds of delegates outside the hall were glued to the television set showing the South Korea-Italy match.

They cheered and clapped, totally oblivious to Abdullah's speech which was projected at the same time on two large screens nearby.

And when Korean striker Ahn Jung-hwan headed in the golden goal in extra time to take his country to its first ever quarterfinal, the Umno leader's voice was completely drowned.

Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno will hold their respective annual meets today while the party's three-day annual general assembly will begin tomorrow.