Rais: More should rap quota for Umno polls - The Star

By Sarban Singh

KUALA KLAWANG: Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Rais Yatim is upset that party members have not come out to openly express unhappiness with the quota system for those wishing to contest posts in the party's top decision-making body.

Rais, who had indicated interest in contesting the vice presidency in the November party polls, said members should be brave and let the leadership know if they were unhappy with the system.

“Since not many are coming out to oppose the system, there are no signs that it would be abolished,” he said.

"The only other leader who has spoken about abolishing the quota is (International Trade and Industry Minister and party vice president Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin). I must say that I am quite unhappy about this."

Under the quota system, a candidate wishing to contest the presidency must obtain nominations from 30% of the 191 divisions, while those vying for the deputy president’s post should bag at least 20%. Those going for the vice presidency must get 10% and for a supreme council seat, 5%.

Rais, who is also Foreign Minister, said the need to retain or abolish the quota syetem was also discussed during the two-day retreat in Shah Alam for supreme council members last week.

The Jelebu MP however conceded that the decision to abolish or retain the quota system should be decided by party members.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/8/nation/20080608203418&sec=nation]