A SUGGESTION by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to devolve certain powers from the central leadership to the state and division levels has caused unease among some leaders, who fear abuse by unscrupulous division heads.

They feel the suggestion is not timely, given Umno’s weak state after its 14th general election trouncing, and that Zahid should first consult branch leaders and get feedback on the idea.

Zahid, in his policy speech at the recent Umno general assembly, proposed that party leaders at the state and division levels be given powers to carry out certain functions, such as approving membership registration and selecting candidates for elections.

Ampang Umno division chief Ismail Kijo fears this could lead to abuse of power by some division heads.

“If Umno was in a strong position, we could name anyone as an election candidate, and the person would win. But we are not in a strong position now, and the party’s candidate – no matter how hard he has worked – would lose. What more, if the candidate is the division head’s pick, and not someone who has the people’s support.

“If such powers are given to them, there will be division chiefs who will take the opportunity to place themselves as candidates,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Zahid had told the general assembly that his proposal stemmed from ideas floated at an Umno retreat in Janda Baik after GE14.

It is meant to allow for the systematic management of the party at the state level, and reduce over-reliance on the central leadership when it comes to decision-making.

The idea is also aimed at granting the state and division levels leeway to influence constituents, as part of efforts to build up Umno.

“The devolution of powers involves the machinery, management, disciplinary matters and coordination of grassroots activities, in order to make the party relevant to the people,” Zahid had said.

“The leaders will have power to influence the sentiments of members at the state level.”

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, however, had asked for Zahid’s proposal to be studied carefully, saying careless implementation would cause bigger problems for the party.

The view is shared by Kuala Selangor Umno division chief Jahaya Ibrahim, who won the post uncontested in the June party elections.

He said Zahid’s suggestion reminded him of what Kuala Selangor Umno experienced in the May 9 general election.

“The candidates we (division head) proposed were not accepted by the branch heads. They early on felt that Umno would lose.

“The opinions of the branch heads are important, as they are the party machinery. If the machinery has no confidence in our choice of candidate, they won’t be willing to campaign.

“And, the branch heads have their own followers, and can influence members under them.”

In GE14, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Kuala Selangor, Irmohizam Ibrahim, failed to defend the parliamentary seat, losing to Amanah’s Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who won by 8,498 votes.

Arau Umno division chief Shahidan Kassim said Zahid’s proposal could work, but only in certain areas that already have the practice in place.

He said in Perlis, the state and division chiefs have long determined election candidates, and are supported by members in the state.

“I support Zahid because this practice has long been in place in Perlis. We have always done it, and in GE14, we kept the state with a two-thirds majority,” he said of the nation’s smallest state.

Shahidan, who is also Arau MP, said Perlis Umno picks election candidates based on suggestions made by branch leaders, and the selections are confirmed via voting.

While party chapters in other states have their own methods of selecting election candidates, they should “follow Perlis’ way” as Umno has never lost the state, he said. – October 17, 2018.