Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said the party allows all, including the online media, to cover the party’s general assembly which begins on Tuesday.

Hishammuddin said unlike the opposition which barred certain mainstream media, Umno has opened its doors to the online media.

“At least you ( Malaysiakini ) got two passes from Umno. For some of the press conferences given by the opposition, not even one pass is given to certain newspapers or the media.

“The opposition sometimes do not allow access, but we do,” he said.

NONE When told that the two passes for each Internet media may not be sufficient to provide proper coverage, Hishammuddin said about that, you have to ask the headquarters.

Asked on the alternative media being given a chance to cover the assembly, Hishammuddin said the matter was brought up during the management committee.

“We cannot prohibit them as we may refuse to grant them entry to the hall but there are big screens outside and this is a borderless world.

“We have to be realistic. In Umno we must be consistent and we must balance it with the needs and demands of the people,” he said.

'Most important assembly'

Hishammuddin described the coming Umno general assembly as the most important as this is the last before the 13th general election is called.

“This is also the first time that party president Najib Abdul Razak will be leading the fight and it is important that the message emanating at the conclusion of the assembly is translated into work towards winning the election,” he said.

Hishammuddin said the party needs to work towards achieving zero defects in campaigning for elections.

NONE “There is a need for proper mindset and hard work, while the party machinery has to work for us.

“We have to ensure that whatever focus is aimed towards spurring the branch and division leaders to work well in the run-up to the election,” he said.

Hishammuddin, who is also the Home Minister, said although there are criticisms within the party, Umno has shown that it is a democratic party.

He said there are 617 motions filed by the 191 divisions and they are scrutinised by his committee.

All the problems highlighted by the grassroots is being looked upon and being dealt with.

Of the 617 motions, he said 572 are referred to the various government agencies to respond for improvement, while some are accepted without debate and others will be considered for debates.

“This shows that whatever the grouses and wishes of the grassroots, it is heard by the top leaders.”

‘No restrictions imposed on speakers’

Hishammuddin also said there are no restrictions imposed to speakers from various states in debating the various motions.

“I have met the designated speakers and there are no restrictions imposed. There never was any,” he said.

When told former party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said in a TV 3 interview last night that speakers must be careful in debating for fear it would be picked up by the opposition, Hishammuddin replied Mahathir’s statement was just a reminder.

“If you want to bring up an issue bring it up well and properly. This is just a reminder to everyone as I believe Tun (Mahathir) loves the party and every time the assembly nears, he had chosen to remind the delegates of what is expected from them,” he said.

What is important, Hishammuddin said, is that the party members unite towards winning the 13th general election.

Asked on whether there will be a new method imposed in the selection of candidates for the 13th general election, Hishammuddin said it is the prime minister’s prerogative after discussing it with other component parties.

Today it was reported that another vice-president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had given clues of a new method to select candidates as it is not necessary for them to come from the division heirarchy.

VIDEO l 5.45 mins