Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Mohamad Hasan, who is also the party’s supreme council member, today rejected the idea of deferring party polls to possibly next year.

mohamad hasan negeri sembilan mb “Why defer the elections? If you defer it now, wouldn't you need to hold it at a later date?” asked Mohamad, who is also the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar.

The polls are originally scheduled to be held this August but party information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib said on Tuesday that there were calls being made by state and divisional leaders for the adjournment.

“If elections are held now, it could prove disastrous for the party,” he said in what is widely seen as a move to protect party president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from challenges for his posts.

According to a report in the Star Online , Mohamad said that if the party was facing problems, there was no reason to run away from them. He however added that this was his personal view.

"I am one who believes we should never run away from problems. If we really have problems, we should solve them in the true Umno spirit.

"The last thing we should do is sweep whatever problems there may be under the carpet," he told reporters in Seremban.

He also said that a postponement of party polls could lead to more unnecessary problems for the party.

"Umno members must be rational and unite for the sake of the party. If you have personal agendas, then there are bound to be problems," he said.

The Umno election scheduled for last year was postponed because of the general election and must be held before June next year.

Talk to grassroots first

khir toyo 181207 Meanwhile the former party state chief in Selangor Dr Khir Toyo said that it was important for the party to seek feedback from the grassroots first before deciding to adjourn the party elections.

The Star Online reported that most of the time, decisions were made at the top without getting feedback from the ground, adding that the general election results showed how important it was to take into these opinions into account.

"We need to study this - whether members want change. We want to know what exactly is happening on the ground. For me the best way is to go back to the branch chiefs and ask them what they think," he was quoted as saying today.

He added that just relying on the state or divisions chiefs for their views were inadequate as this might not reflect the exact sentiment on the ground.

"We must go back to the people and take it to them. Our weakness has often been our top-down approach. We need to get a broader perspective and seek the perception of the grassroots leaders on the ground who have been working really hard for the party.

"If their views are sought, then the people on the ground too will feel appreciated," he added.

Ku Li offers himself

The party is expected to decide on the party polls deferment at its supreme council meeting tomorrow.

Abdullah has come under severe pressure for the massive defeat suffered by BN and Umno in the recent general election.

While the party has gathered around Abdullah in showing their support, there are still calls being made for him to take responsibility for the defeats.

tengku razaleigh 02 Umno’s former vice president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has offered himself to challenge Abdullah for the top post in order to heal the party.

The Kelantan prince is also calling for the party to hold an emergency meeting on May 11 to discuss its performance in the general election.