KOTA TINGGI: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is ready to defend his position if the party decides to contest the president and deputy president positions in the next party polls in 2026.
He said there are no objections to contesting these two positions, but it must be done in a healthy manner without causing party members to be divided.
"I will defend the position of Umno deputy president. We will compete, and winning or losing is part of the competition and commonly practised in a healthy democracy.
"This includes other positions, such as those at the division level. These party elections aim to strengthen and empower the party, especially for a well-organised organisation like Umno.
"Therefore, choose the best among the good candidates. It is up to the delegates to make the selection so that the party can be strong to face the general or state election."
He made these remarks after officiating the Tenggara Umno division delegates' meeting at Dewan Sri Sayong, Felda Sungai Sayong here today.
Present was Tenggara Umno division chief Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
In his speech, Adham proposed to the party leadership and requested that the positions of Umno president and deputy president, which were not contested in previous party elections, be contested in the upcoming election.
He said that in addition to this proposal, the leadership should reconsider the relationship with DAP and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the current unity government.
"The Tenggara Umno division delegates' meeting has approved three proposals. First, the positions of Umno president and deputy president must be contested.
"Second, the party must fulfil its promise to release former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is imprisoned, for his significant contributions to the country.
"Third, reconsider the relationship between Umno, DAP and PH," he said.
On Jan 14 last year, most Umno delegates at the 2022 Umno General Assembly supported the proposal that the two positions should not be contested in party elections.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this was decided through a vote conducted at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.