Factionalism sours Umno's Merlimau campaign
Jasin factions unhappy with the choice of candidate closed down the operations room and threatened to boycott the campaing.
Umno faced its first hurdle in the Merlimau by-election as division leaders sidelined in the candidacy earlier threatened to boycott the campaign.
NONEAccording to Wanita Umno Jasin chief Zaleha Bujang, who had earlier been listed as a potential candidate, she had on Thursday decided to shut down the Wanita Umno operations room in Taman Merlimau Jaya because she felt "slighted".
"I felt hurt (with the decision). It's normal," she said when contacted today.
However, Zaleha who was among the seven shortlisted as candidates - and one of four first listed by Umno Jasin who were considered to be well-known to locals - said that all the disappointed parties have decided to throw their weight behind the chosen man, Roslan Ahmad after a pep talk by Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam.
"He advised all of us to put the party before ourselves, and the operation room was reopened at 8 this morning," she said, albeit admitting that she still felt disappointed.
It is not uncommon for factions within Umno to turn their backs on an election campaign as a result of disagreement over the candidacy; however it is observed that most would eventually return to the fold as the campaign progresses.
Yesterday, Zaleha told Malay daily Sinar Harian that she was disappointed because Wanita Umno Jasin had worked very hard for her candidacy.
She told Malaysiakini today that supporters of division committee members Mohd Nasser Selamat and Ahmad Nasir Bazid were similarly disappointed and wanted to shut down their operation rooms as well.
Umno building dynasty?
Locals approached said that both had lobbied heavily for the candidacy, including canvassing signatures from residents, and felt that the duo were well-known figures as compared to candidate finally chosen.
NONE"Roslan was the leadership's choice, but not the choice of the people of Merlimau as we don't really know him," said a voter who declined to be named.
The man, however, admitted to knowing Roslan's late father, who was Sungai Rambai (now in Merlimau) assemblyperson Ahmad Ithnin who had a multipurpose hall in Merlimau named after him.
Roslan's uncle is also former Malacca Chief Minister Abu Bakar Ithnin.
And while the Umno leadership had cited his family background as an advantage, the move allowed PAS to attack the BN party yesterday, accusing Umno of trying to build a dynasty.
The recent Tenang by-election also saw BN fielding Mohd Azahar Ibrahim, who is also from a prominent local Umno family.
Umno faced its first hurdle in the Merlimau by-election as division leaders sidelined in the candidacy earlier threatened to boycott the campaign.
NONEAccording to Wanita Umno Jasin chief Zaleha Bujang, who had earlier been listed as a potential candidate, she had on Thursday decided to shut down the Wanita Umno operations room in Taman Merlimau Jaya because she felt "slighted".
"I felt hurt (with the decision). It's normal," she said when contacted today.
However, Zaleha who was among the seven shortlisted as candidates - and one of four first listed by Umno Jasin who were considered to be well-known to locals - said that all the disappointed parties have decided to throw their weight behind the chosen man, Roslan Ahmad after a pep talk by Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam.
"He advised all of us to put the party before ourselves, and the operation room was reopened at 8 this morning," she said, albeit admitting that she still felt disappointed.
It is not uncommon for factions within Umno to turn their backs on an election campaign as a result of disagreement over the candidacy; however it is observed that most would eventually return to the fold as the campaign progresses.
Yesterday, Zaleha told Malay daily Sinar Harian that she was disappointed because Wanita Umno Jasin had worked very hard for her candidacy.
She told Malaysiakini today that supporters of division committee members Mohd Nasser Selamat and Ahmad Nasir Bazid were similarly disappointed and wanted to shut down their operation rooms as well.
Umno building dynasty?
Locals approached said that both had lobbied heavily for the candidacy, including canvassing signatures from residents, and felt that the duo were well-known figures as compared to candidate finally chosen.
NONE"Roslan was the leadership's choice, but not the choice of the people of Merlimau as we don't really know him," said a voter who declined to be named.
The man, however, admitted to knowing Roslan's late father, who was Sungai Rambai (now in Merlimau) assemblyperson Ahmad Ithnin who had a multipurpose hall in Merlimau named after him.
Roslan's uncle is also former Malacca Chief Minister Abu Bakar Ithnin.
And while the Umno leadership had cited his family background as an advantage, the move allowed PAS to attack the BN party yesterday, accusing Umno of trying to build a dynasty.
The recent Tenang by-election also saw BN fielding Mohd Azahar Ibrahim, who is also from a prominent local Umno family.
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