Difficult For Small State Umno To Compete, Says Shahidan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has described as "a bit unfair" the contest for posts in Umno as candidates from small states like Perlis would be at a disadvantage.
The former Perlis Menteri Besar said it would be difficult for candidates from small states to compete compared to those coming from big states like Pahang, Sabah, Perak and Johor which had huge number of delegates.
He also expressed concerned over what he claimed as the notion that the country's leaders should come only from three states, namely Pahang, Kedah and Johor.
"So, when there is a leader, for instance Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) from Penang, entering the picture, he will be there only for a short while.
"But that has been the case at the moment. Malaysia's leadership has been coming from Kedah, Pahang and Johor and so is the upcoming leadership.
"Others who wanted to 'tumpang sekaki' (enter the fray) would find themselves being sidelined," he said at a Hari Raya gathering organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation of Malaysia (Perkim).
On the proposed open debate for candidates vying for the Umno Youth chief's post, Shahidan said, "Why should we confine the debate only to the Youth? Why not a debate for Wanita, Puteri, vice-president and deputy president as well?"
He also said it would not be proper to have only Umno Youth vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin and executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir participating in the debate as it would be viewed as a proxy debate between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his successor Abdullah.

tunku : i don't agree with shahidan on this matter.if you are a very very good leader, you can come from utan aji in perlis and still be the pm of malaysia but if you are not even like by the people and royalty of your own state than don't complaint.