Umno Will Be More Dynamic After Power Transition
(Bernama) — Umno will become more dynamic after its leadership transition in March and the change is needed to win back grassroots support, especially among the younger generation.
This was the view forwarded by two Umno vice president aspirants; Umno Supreme Council (MT) member Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, who is also Home Minister, and Risda chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik when they appeared as panelists in the "Hujah" programme aired live on the TV9 television channel, Tuesday night.
Syed Hamid said the power transition was necessary because with the changed political situation in the country, reforms were needed in Umno so that that the party could regain the confidence of the people especially the youths.
"The hope is that with change there will be a new team and approaches that could bring the party forward.
"We have to do something that brings an impact to the people who were shocked by the results of the last general election…the non-Malays felt they had more political power, thus the need to inspire the Malays again that they are the backbone of the administration in the country…It is something they are anxiously waiting for," he said.
Syed Hamid said the younger generation were more technologically savvy and that Umno must change accordingly in order to engage them.
He said besides this, Umno must also portray a good image all the time and its leaders "must walk the talk".
Abdul Rahim said the labeling given to Umno as an arrogant party by the Opposition had been "bought" by the younger generation and this needed to be rectified.
He urged the youths to instill the spirit of patriotism in themselves and follow in the footsteps of leaders before who sacrificed much for the country.
The one-hour programme, which started at 9.30pm, was chaired by Assoc Prof Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, the senior lecturer in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's History, Politics and Strategic Studies Centre. It was held at Balai Budaya Tun Syed Nasir, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here.
