Malaysia Notes

TOKYO: Some people consider the succession date in 2010 as too long, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

“Some have expressed concern that if the duration is that long the situation will not become more convincing. This needs to be taken into account,” he said.

He said there were party members who believed that it would be better for the members themselves to decide on the party leadership.

“But never mind, the elections start in October; so at that time each Umno division will reveal whether they like the decision or that they have their own views,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is leading a six-day trade and investment mission to Japan, was commenting on Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement to hand over the posts of Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in June 2010.

Muhyiddin said he hoped that any decision made by the Umno supreme council would not stop others from making decisions deemed best for them.

He said that if Umno was still practising the democratic system, it surely would not prevent party members from voicing out on what was best for them and the party.

He said decisions made by the supreme council should be respected.

But no less important were the views of each Umno member representing the branches and divisions. They have wants, they have aspirations, they also have hopes and expectations,” he said.

Asked whether he had decided on the post he would be contesting, Muhyiddin replied: “We have to see the members' reaction to the supreme council's decision first. My decision is not important.” – Bernama