Mukhriz Calls For Abolishment Of Quota System

ALOR STAR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Member of Parliament for Jerlun Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has joined the bandwagon in calling for the abolishment of the nomination quota system in the contest for Umno top posts and instead allow 3.5 million party members to nominate their candidates.
He said the quota system gave incumbents the edge over their rivals and encouraged money politics.
Following Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the March 8 general election, he said Umno elections at the branch level in July would be an important chapter in the party's history.
"The people, especially the Malays, as well as foreign countries will be observing whether Umno is changing for the better or will retain its old ways," he told reporters after opening the MP for Jerlun Service Centre and a thanksgiving function to mark his first 100 days as Jerlun MP, at Padang Sera, near here, last night.
"Umno's image is tarnished because of the perception that money politics thrives in the party. As such, I am calling every branch to propose their list of candidates for the posts of president, deputy president, vice-presidents, supreme council members as well as Wanita, Youth and Puteri leaders.
"Only through this way, all 3.5 million members from the grassroots will be responsible in choosing their leaders, especially the president and deputy president, not 2,500 delegates who are representing them and the people," he said.
He said the divisions should accept candidates who receive more that 50 per cent of the nominations from the branches while the delegates should abide by the decision made.
"Previously, members at the branches nominated their candidates but the delegates had the final say on who should be the leaders.
"The probability of corruption is high. If my proposal is accepted, we can curb corruption as the decision is taken at the grassroot level," he said, adding that it would also make branch delegates' meetings more lively and well attended.
Mukhriz, who is also an Umno Youth Executive Committee member, said the quota system which gave advantage to the incumbents was unfair to new candidates.
He said it was funny that the power to abolish the quota system rested with the Supreme Council as it actually gave its members the advantage.
On his intention to contest the Umno Youth chief post, he claimed that he had received overwhelming support with about 65 per cent of the movement members backing him.
Mukhriz, who is also a Kubang Pasu Umno division member, however, has not decided whether he would contest for any post at the divisional level or transfer his membership to the Jerlun division.
On Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's efforts to get MCA and Umno MPs to join the opposition pact, Mukhriz said he believed they would remain loyal to Barisan Nasional although some had been vocally critical of the government.
"Anwar's action is more a psychological warfare or an enticement for BN MPs to party hop," he said.

tunku : it's too late now for the quota to be abolished.we hope the branches and divisions will have guts to name the challenger of pak lah .