UMNO president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today urged all candidates to close ranks regardless of who is chosen as part of the party’s leadership.

Zahid said he was ready to accept any decision party members make in the division and national-level Supreme Council elections next Saturday.

“We will witness either a new leadership or the retention of the old line-up.

“As Umno president, I will accept anyone, and together with the new leadership I hope we will strive and work together to strengthen the party,” he told reporters after the introduction session for candidates for the vice-presidency and Supreme Council for the 2023-2026 term at Kompleks Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat in Johor Baru today.

He added that it was vital for all members and candidates to be on the same team, not only to defend against attacks from outside but also to face the six state elections and the next general election.

On the outcome of the youth and women’s wings elections, which seemed to show party members wanting more fresh faces in the coming divisional elections, as well as the race for Supreme Council posts and vice-presidencies, Zahid said it might be a different situation altogether.

“We hope whoever is elected will rejuvenate Umno to face all coming challenges and what’s important is that we can work together as a team,” he added.

On new Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s commitment to amend the wing’s constitution limiting the age of candidates to 40, Zahid said he had held a similar view as youth chief previously.

“When I was youth chief, I also was of the same opinion, but in the end, discussions must be held with the Constitution Amendment Committee chairman and it must be brought to the Supreme Council before getting approval at the Umno general assembly.

“Everyone can come up with ideas, but in the end, the party’s decision at the highest level – the general assembly – matters. If there is no general assembly, then the Supreme Council will be the highest body,” he said.

Zahid said the party was open and ready to accept any positive suggestions. – Bernama, March 12, 2023.