Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO'

Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Absolute democracy cannot be practiced by Malaysia's ruling United Malaysia's National Organization (UMNO) because it could ruin the party, a report quoted Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying on Sunday.

Abdullah, heir apparent to Premier Mahathir Mohamad, said while UMNO upheld democracy, there were times when it had to apply a "little brake" to its practices to protect the party from falling apart.

The Sunday Star newspaper quoted him as saying that the Supreme Council's advice against contests for the two top posts in the party was aimed at preventing a split in UMNO.

Mahathir and Abdullah cannot be challenged for the UMNO presidency and deputy presidency after being nominated virtually unopposed.

Holders of the top two posts in the party, which has dominated domestic politics for half a century, are automatically prime minister and deputy premier. UMNO will hold its general assembly on May 11.