Little known UMNO branch nominates Najib for party president

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Until tonight, not many people outside Pekan would have heard of Kampung Ubai. But by nominating Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the Umno president's post, this little known branch in Pahang has guaranteed its position in the limelight and set tongues wagging.
Although the nomination may not carry much weight, as the actual decision can only be made at the divisional level meetings in October and November, the Kampung Ubai Umno branch has decided to ignore the top leadership's plea of retaining the status quo.
The branch — the first in Pahang to conduct its meeting — made its decision after realising that the 2010 transfer of power from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his deputy Najib was considered “too long”.
“(The decision made was also due to) the failure of the current leadership to resolve the issue on the price increases for petrol and food,” branch chief Mohammad Hanapi Salleh told Bernama today.
He also said the branch had also taken into consideration the defeat of Umno and Barisan Nasional in five states in the recent general election under Abdullah's leadership.
A total of 42 of the eligible 123 branch members attended last night's meeting. Pekan Umno division which has 139 branches is also the largest division in Pahang with some 32,000 members.
This might pose a problem for Najib, also Pekan MP, who has to answer a lot of questions, particularly on his capability to control the branches within his division.
Although it may be just one branch flexing its muscle, the signal sent out may not please the top Umno leadership, particularly when the 2010 transition plan has been agreed by all state liaison chiefs as well as division leaders.
If more branches are to follow suit, the expected smooth transition plan will have to go through rough edges.
Some 13,000 branches have begun to have their meetings in stages from yesterday which will go on until Aug 24. There will be a break during the fasting month and the Hari Raya festive season before Umno divisions hold their respective meeting from Oct 9 until Nov 9.
The Umno general assembly and party elections will be held in mid-December.

tunku : actually this is the actual sentiment at the ground. they are fed up with pak lah and can't wait till 2010.right now the MTs are making the decision on behalf umno's 3 millions members which is not fair and does not reflects the actual sentiments.i must salute this kampung ubai branch for their courage.we hope more branches will follow them.now it's up to najib to act,he still has the time to change things around.act fast najib before it's too late.