Umno must change before people pass ‘death sentence’

(Bernama) – Umno must change before the people pass a “death sentence” on it, said party Supreme Council member and Kota Tinggi member of parliament, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said change was timely as the party’s image had been badly tarnished by cases involving party members detained for alleged corruption by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Embracing change and cleaning up the party must be discussed by the party’s top leaders with members. Everyone, including the president and supreme council members must take responsibility so that our party is not given the death sentence,” he said.

Syed Hamid was speaking to reporters after launching the Kota Tinggi Rakan Muda annual general meeting and blogsite in Felda Bukit Aping Barat, here, Sunday.

He said changes to be effected should also include making the party more people-friendly.

Syed Hamid, who is also Home Minister, said the party’s position as the backbone of the government could be jeopardised if it continued to be plagued by corrupt practices.

“The public demands a party that is trustworthy and has integrity and credibility,” he continued.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must create a new interest and new agenda for the party when he takes over as prime minister.

The new agenda, he said, must not portray that the party was only for the elites, who were snobbish and detached from the people.

On the recent arrest of party members by the MACC, Syed Hamid said no one was above the law and the commission had the right to investigate and take action after a report was lodged.