KUALA LUMPUR: Former Gopeng Wanita Umno chief Datuk Hamidah Osman was sacked from the party because she crossed the line.

Denying her claim that the action signalled the death of democracy in the party, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin pointed out that many others remained in Umno as members despite criticising the party leadership.

“Democracy in Umno is still very healthy and in this country, we are the most democratic because for our supreme council, elections are held right down at division level,” Khairy said at a media conference after opening the Umno Youth Bumiputra Funds Convention here Saturday.

Khairy took a swipe at DAP, questioning how many members were involved in the election for the opposition party’s central executive committee.

He said that in a democracy, the freedoms accorded must come with responsibility.

“As a political party, members must be disciplined, we are not a fish market where members can do anything they feel like.”

Hamidah, commenting on her expulsion, was reported to have said that it signalled the death of democracy in the party.

– The Star