The Umno supreme council has already decided both the president and deputy president positions should not be contested during the upcoming party election.

NONE This has been confirmed by party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor ( left ) yesterday, who said he was surprised by Umno supreme council member Idris Jusoh's claim that the move would be regarded as "undemocratic".

"During the previous supreme council meeting, we decided that the two highest positions would not be contested.

"He (Idris Jusoh) also shared the same view with us during the meeting and I don't think he expressed otherwise."

Tengku Adnan, along with other Umno leaders, including Kudat MP Abdul Rahim Bakri, supported the no-contest move to preserve party solidarity and unity.

idris jusoh pc 250308 02 On Saturday, Idris ( right ) said while it would be better if there was no competition for both positions, the public would describe it as undemocratic.

The view was echoed by Pahang Umno chairperson Adnan Yaakob who said the positions should be opened for contest.

Umno president Najib Abdul Razak said after the supreme council meeting on May 31 that he was ready to be challenge for his position in the forthcoming party polls.

He had said Umno was democratic and open, unlike some other parties.

No permission for Padang Merbok

Tengku Adnan, who is also Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing minister earlier officiated a new RM2.15 million two-lane bypass road in Taman Intan Baiduri, Kepong.

Tengku Adnan also said the government would not grant permission for opposition supporters and leaders to stage the 'Blackout 505' rally at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur.

"We will only consider if the rally is held at a contained area, but not at public areas like Padang Merbok and Dataran Merdeka."

Kuala Lumpur City Hall had rejected Pakatan Rakyat’s application to hold it there on June 11 as it would cause congestion and affect the landscaping and logistics base for the Olympic Run on Sunday.

- The Malay Mail

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