| Obstacles At Branch Levels Prevent New Members From Joining Umno |
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PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Umno leadership needs to be aware that decisions made by the branch leaders or lower level leaders may hinder new blood comprising young professionals from joining the party.
Former prime minister and former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed said on Wednesday that without new blood in the party, there would be no renewal and the party would continue to become smaller and smaller.
"Well, I think the main thing is for the leadership of Umno to realise that Umno is getting smaller because leaders at the lower level are actually preventing people from joining Umno.
"So there is no renewal, they (lower level leaders) will get old and retire and yet these will be the only people for folks to choose," he told reporters after delivering his keynote address on "The Role of Women and Youth in National Development" at the 10th Perdana Discourse Series at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.
During the question and answer session on his keynote address, Dr Mahathir also commented that it was not the failure of the system but the abuse taking place at the lower level.
He explained that in order to be an Umno member, a person must join the branch first instead of directly registering with the party.
However, lower level leaders might see the new person as a threat to their position and conspire to keep the newcomer out of the party.
"The system isn't bad, but leaders at the branch level need to understand that for Umno to win, Umno needs more good leaders," he said.
Regarding the MCA leadership crisis, Dr Mahathir said that the importance of the party instead of personal gains should be the main focus.
"I thought Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat have come together, and the rest should come behind and support them. An EGM (extraordinary general meeting) won't solve anything, it is just to see who's the winner and who's the loser. The loser will not support the party, we've had that experience in Umno," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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