Pro-Najib portal: We need a warrior president, not autocrat
In a surprise move, a portal known for carpet bombing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's foes has defended deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal's right to address Umno delegates.
MyKMU.net emphasised on the need to safeguard Umno's democratic tradition.
Therefore, the portal called on Umno supreme council members to allow the pair to deliver their winding-up speeches at the party general assembly.
"The supreme council must continue the party's democratic tradition to allow the deputy president and vice-presidents to deliver their winding-up speeches.
"Any decision to prevent their right to speak would run contrary to the position of Umno being the biggest democratic party," it said.
The portal pointed out it is common knowledge what the content of Muhyiddin and Shafie's speech would be, therefore it makes no sense to prevent them from speaking.
MyKMU.net also noted that being an experienced politician, Najib would have no problems in answering the allegations and attacks during his speech.
"Stopping the deputy president from speaking because he will attack the president may help reduce a split or chaos among supporters in the hall.
"It may also be a face-saving measure for the deputy president if he is heckled or booed by the Umno delegates.
"Najib's supporters need a president who is a warrior, not an autocrat who closes all avenues of criticism," it said.
The portal said since Najib would deliver the final speech at the tail-end, he could do a "slam dunk" which would seal Muhyiddin and Shafie's hopes for the future.
"The supreme council must understand that politics now is not the same as before. This is a new era, an era of social media. Umno no longer needs to be run ala (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad)," it said.
The supreme council would meet on Wednesday to decide if Muhyiddin could deliver his speech.
He was previously prevented from officiating at the respective assemblies of the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.
Last week, Muhyiddin said the decision to bar him from speaking would reduce him to be like a "tree stump" on the stage during the assembly.
The three-day Umno general assembly would commence tomorrow.
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