UMNO president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed hope the results of 189 divisional elections today will serve as a step towards the party’s revival.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said it was necessary for leaders at all tiers to move together and work as a team as state elections loom.

“Umno is very democratic. One can file nomination papers after they qualify as a candidate.

“My hope is that the decision that will be made by 189 divisions, it will serve as a step for Umno revival 2.0,” he said when met at the Bagan Datuk Umno divisional elections today.

Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said democracy in Umno continued to flourish with candidates offering themselves up for contest, despite what is perceived to be a “dark” period for the party.

Umno elections are being held from February 1 to March 18, with branch-level elections being held from February 1 to 26, followed by elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the national level on March 11.

The party divisional delegates’ meetings and committee elections, as well as contests for seats in the Umno Supreme Council, will be held simultaneously nationwide today.

Zahid expressed hope that newly elected members will be able to strengthen the party. He also stressed that Umno needs to embrace digitalisation, to gain the support of new voters.

“My hope is that we choose the best candidates so that we don’t make the wrong choice this time even though I celebrate the difference of views and opinions, we should not differ in our views when the party makes decisions, especially big decisions.

“Now we are in the unity government and we support the concept of Malaysia Madani. We are part of the government.

He said that the compatibility between Umno and the component parties of Barisan Nasional, together with the other parties supporting the unity government, showed positive development at the national, parliamentary and state constituency levels as well as at the PDM (district polling centre) and locality levels.

Touching on his daughter Nurulhidayah who failed to win the Bagan Datuk Umno Wanita chief post in the elections, Zahid said the results proved that there was no interference at all levels. – Bernama, March 18, 2023.