Khairy says warlords, remaining deaf to the demands of the public for change, swung the presidency for Zahid, and declines the new president’s offer to be BN sec-gen.
The electoral college system used for Umno’s internal elections is flawed because it favours party “warlords,” Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
According to the losing presidential candidate, Umno warlords continue to control the party elections by forcing members to vote for their chosen candidate.
He said the voting pattern showed that members wanted change but the electoral college system favoured warlords who have a strong grip on their divisions.
“Many were ordered, threatened, and forced to follow the warlords’ choice,” said the former Umno Youth chief.
In a graphic posted on Twitter, Khairy showed that he received 32,592 votes, 6,605 votes less than Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s 39,197 in the presidential race and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah received 20,462 votes.
He said the overall result from the divisions revealed that he had won 61 divisions, Zahid 99 and Razaleigh won 30.
The results suggested that Zahid won the Umno presidential race with the support of 52 percent of 190 Umno divisions, despite gaining just 42.4 percent of the popular vote.
In contrast, Khairy came in second with support from 32.1 percent of 190 divisions, while getting 35.2 percent of the popular vote.
He added that it is sad the warlords remain deaf to the demands of the public for change.
“I want to see Umno change, the feudal mentality that is widespread in the party must come to an end but I will still accept the results,” he said.
Khairy said members must get rid of the mentality of just agreeing with everything the leaders say as it seems as if they don’t have a stand themselves.
The electoral college system was introduced in 2013 under the leadership of Najib Abdul Razak.
The system was aimed at rooting out ‘money politics’ – a colloquial term for vote buying – by expanding the voting base from about 2,500 to the 165,000 or so seen in yesterday’s polls and to democratise the election process.
The system does not involve one-person-one-vote but instead provides the 191 Umno divisions one vote each for each position.
Critics say the system is inherently flawed, as the vote of a division with fewer members carries the same weight as that with a larger membership.
Meanwhile, Khairy has declined an offer to serve as the new Barisan Nasional secretary-general.
In a tweet on Sunday (July 1), he thanked Zahid for his offer.”I told him that I don’t want to hold any high position in the party.
“I will focus on my job as a Member of Parliament,” said Khairy, adding that he would help and remain with Umno.
Results of Umno Election
- President – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
- Deputy President – Mohamad Hasan
Vice President:
- Ismail Sabri Yaakob
- Mahdzir Khalid
- Khaled Nordin
Supreme Council Members:
- Mustapa Mohamed
- Zambry Abd Kadir
- Shamsul Anuar Nasarah
- Reezal Merican Naina Merican
- Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin
- Abd Rahman Dahlan
- Razali Ibrahim
- Azalina Othman Said
- Lokman Noor Adam
- Bung Moktar Radin
- Md Alwi Che Ahmad
- Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin
- Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim
- Noh Omar
- Ahmad Shabery Cheek
- Jamil Khir Baharom
- Fathul Bari Mat Jahya
- Azian Osman
- Khaidhirah Abu Zahar
- Ahmad Maslan
- Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub
- Jalaluddin Alias
- Hasni Mohammad
- Zahidi Zainul Abidin
- Suraya Yaacob