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'Sensational reports can hurt unity'

Question: There were earlier reports quoting you that there would be a media blackout during the Umno assembly. What actually transpired that led to the controversy?

Answer: It is a misunderstanding of my earlier statements which led to such reports. I was just stating my views that some media, not all, like to pit leaders against each other. They like to sensationalise things that will only hurt others in the end. But, I want to say here that there will be no media blackout during the Umno assembly (next month). Don’t worry. We will allow the media to do their work because we are aware that Umno is the backbone of the government.
(But) news reports that have been spun and sensationalised can threaten the people’s unity. Malaysia is a melting pot of different races and cultures. As a Malay party, (Malay-centric) issues will be raised and sometimes things related to other races will be raised as well, similar with what happened during other (Barisan Nasional) component parties’ general assemblies. We know what transpires in MCA and MIC (assemblies). At the end of the day, BN will come together to discuss and decide what should be done for the sake of Malaysia.

Question: So you have a list of media organisations that will be monitored due to their previous “spinning” and “sensationalising” news?

Answer: You know who they are. I do not have to name them. If I name them, (what I said) will be “spun” by them (laughing). We really hope the media, especially digital media, will not spin their reports as it will only cause more harm, especially to the people’s unity.

Question: How many members of the media will be attending the assembly?

Answer: We extended the invitation as usual and even gave guidelines for the media (to follow).
However, we have issues with  state-owned bloggers and news portals. Maybe, we should tell them not to attend because we do not know the bloggers that are sent (to cover the assembly).

Question: Will you allow the media that were barred from covering the assembly last year to attend this year?

Answer: We will bar them again this year and maybe more media will be restricted from covering the assembly. (Nonetheless) we are trying to allow as many media as possible (to cover the general assembly) and provide them access like what was done in the past.

Question: At this year’s general assembly, will the organiser provide a live feed for those who gather outside the halls in the Putra World Trade Centre?

Answer: I am listening to what the grassroots have to say (about the matter). They have voiced their concerns (of the possibility of a TV-feed), as they come from far to listen to the debates and speeches. I understand that because of the limited space in the halls, not all of them can get seats inside.
As secretary-general, I take their views into account. So, we will either have a live feed or a delayed feed. When there is a live feed, the media can use this (to gather news). Don’t worry, I love the media, but the media does not love me.

Question: The recent announcement that the party wings’ assemblies will be opened by their respective chiefs, rather than by the party deputy president, has sparked some speculation.

Answer: Changes are being made. One of the changes is the opening of the wings’ assemblies will not be done by the party deputy president. The wings themselves have voiced out during a recent supreme council meeting that they wanted their respective chiefs’ policy speeches to be taken as the opening speech for their meetings. There is no intention to silence anyone.
It is only by convention and practice that we have the deputy president officiating the wings’ assemblies.
Nothing in the party’s constitution states that the deputy president must officiate the wings’ assemblies.
There are other changes too. For instance, there will be no international forum this year, as we had just hosted the Asean Summit.

Question: What is your take on party deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement, who asked what “sin” he had committed that prevented him from speaking at the Umno wings’ assemblies? 

Answer: This is not a matter of sin. The issue here is that the wings themselves have requested not to have an opening ceremony, as was done in the past.
They felt that it was unnecessary, as the opening ceremony was usually conducted at night and the next morning they have to come back (for the assembly). So, we decided that there is no need for it. We have no intention to deny anyone the chance to express their views. Please do not perceive that as us wanting to keep the deputy president quiet. That is not the case. As deputy president, his role is to assist the president (in running the party).

Question: Any changes to the winding up session, which usually sees different leaders taking to the podium to deliver their speeches?

Answer: That is also by convention (practice). It is not necessary (to have all of them). In my opinion, it is enough just to have the president deliver the winding up speech.

Question: Has it been decided to have only the president deliver the winding up speech?

Answer: I do not know. In my opinion, it is enough just to have the president do it. Previously, it was just a convention (practice) and often, it can become a stage for debates, which can be a problem, too. It has become a platform to gauge who is more popular and who receives the loudest applause. We want to avoid this. We want to make changes in accordance to time.
Umno, too, must change and there will be those who do not agree to the changes. But we have to do away with certain traditions. Sometimes, the behaviour of some forces changes to be made. If we let it persist, it will become cancerous. We have to ensure that the cancer will not spread.

Question: What will be the focus of the Umno general assembly this year?

Answer: The usual things, namely the presidential policy speech, economy, religion and education. And we have entrusted this to (party vice-president) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who will brief the delegates who have been chosen as speakers from various states.

Question: Will the delivery of the president’s pre-council speech remain a closed-door affair?

Answer: Yes, it is because this is a private moment between the president and Umno members as he shares his plans for them and the party. (Other events) will be open door, including the Bumiputra Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) report presentation on Bumiputera achievements and (Umno Youth chief) Khairy (Jamaluddin) launching the party’s sports logo.

Question: What is the status of the Umno members who are being investigated by the party?

Answer: We have opened investigation papers (IP) on them. We will submit the IPs to the (party’s) disciplinary (bureau). It will take time for any decision to be made.
There is no need to name them. You can likely guess who they are. One has been sacked (referring to former Gopeng Wanita Umno chief Datuk Hamidah Osman).
There are still seven remaining, among whom are new and old members, as well as those who have taken part in demonstrations.

Question: Are there any moves to raise a no-confidence motion against the deputy president  and a vice-president in the upcoming assembly?

Answer: No, no, no. There is no such motion. Although there are divisions who, during their meetings, have raised the need to take stern action against them, as well as against a former president (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad). 

Question: What is your take on efforts by some members trying to rally support to present a no-confidence motion against the president?

Answer: There are proper ways of doing this and not simply through attempts by a few individuals. It is against the party’s constitution. If you want to submit a no-confidence motion against the president, it has to go through the (stipulated) processes, (including) getting the branches to meet with two-third attendance, after which the matter is brought up to the division level. From there, it is referred to the central level.  
(And), when I said they (the few said individuals) have been paid, they scolded me and threatened to stir things up in Putrajaya. If their actions are threatening the party’s harmony, I have to act (for the sake of the party). (For instance), we referred eight out of 14 Teluk Kemang party members to the disciplinary board (for urging the president to step down).
Please follow the party’s constitution and not be like a wolf in sheep’s clothing to destroy the party just because you are not getting what you want. Such efforts can be seen as trying to shame and disgrace (the president). As Muslims, we should not do this.

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