 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abdullah to brief BN leaders after Raya
|
|
|
Thu, Oct 02, 2008
New Straits Times
|
|
|
|
|
>Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said he will be meeting component party chiefs "as soon as possible" to explain the Umno leadership transition plan. "We have nothing to hide. We will have a session, people will speak and we will listen to what they say," he said during Cabinet open house at the Putra World Trade Centre on the first day of Hari Raya.
Abdullah was asked to comment on a news report that some BN leaders were unhappy as they were not consulted over the change in the transition plan.
In his earlier plan, Abdullah, the Umno president, was to have handed over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak in June 2010.
However, it was decided later that this would take place earlier than planned.
The Umno general assembly scheduled for December this year has been postponed to March next year to facilitate this new hand over.
Abdullah, when announcing the postponement of the Umno general assembly, had said he would make a decision by Oct 9 on seeking re-election as party president. The party's month-long divisional meetings start on Oct 9.
Abdullah said he had informed BN leaders informally when he met them but had yet to do so formally. He said this would be done after the Hari Raya.
In light of the transition being brought forward, Abdullah was asked if he was sad that this could be his last Hari Raya as the prime minister.
"I am in a good mood. I am celebrating Raya. Do I look different?" he replied.
On word that Hindraf supporters had initially been stopped at the doors to PWTC on Wednesday but later allowed in, Abdullah said he could not meet anyone specifically as it was an open house.
Meanwhile, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the future of Umno's leadership should be discussed with other Barisan Nasional component parties.
"The leadership of Umno is also the leadership of the country. I believe when things are clearer, the BN supreme council will meet and be briefed about the transition," he said at the open house.
Koh noted that Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had already said that it was a reasonable idea and request.
He said he felt calls to discuss the transition plan did not tantamount to interfering with Umno's internal affairs.
|
|
| READERS' POSTINGS |
| |
|
STORY INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
