New game of the Umno rising sons
According to Akramsyah Sanusi, the son of former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, having a well-known father means that people will easily remember his name.
By SA’ODAH ELIAS, The Star
THEY are young and most of them are contesting the Umno Youth exco posts for the first time. Yet they are easily recognisable because of their famous fathers. But whether this advantage can be translated into votes will only be known come March 25.
Of the 65 Umno Youth contenders, at least six of them are sons of former or serving leaders. The two aspirants for the number one post are Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar. Mukhriz is the youngest son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Khairy is the son-in-law of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Going by previous elections, their chances of securing the exco posts are better than most of the other candidates based on their fathers’ influence.
This was acknowledged by another Umno Youth chief contender, former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who lamented that he was an underdog as his family was not famous.
Umno is no stranger to top leaders whose fathers are former prime ministers. They include Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is the son of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, and Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, whose father is Tun Hussein Onn and grandfather is Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar.
For these “rising sons”, carrying an illustrious family name is an advantage that should not be taken lightly.
According to Akramsyah Sanusi, the son of former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, having a well-known father means that people will easily remember his name.
“When I speak, people are more willing to listen as they can identify with me and understand that I am carrying on my father’s vision.
“There are people who still remember the good deeds that my father had done and that will help me in my campaign rounds. I hope this advantage will be translated into votes,” he said.
However, he cautions that there is also a downside to having a famous name when the people had certain expectations from him.
The 35-year-old mechanical engineering graduate said people tended to approach such candidates for financial assistance and for various other purposes, expecting them to be in a position to help.
“Delegates who are clear about the party’s struggle are fine by me but I will be in trouble if they expect their leaders to be rich and be able to help them financially,” he added.
For Mohd Najib Isa, whose father is the former vice-president and longest serving mentri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, the advantages of having a famous father came with a price.
“It is well and good if we can deliver but if we fail, it will definitely not reflect well on our fathers,” he said, adding that he had not deliberately used his father’s name just to garner support.
A candidate who is not inclined to ride on his father’s fame is Datuk Mohamad Hazali Abu Hassan, the son of former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Abu Hassan Omar.
The 34-year-old businessman believed the delegates should vote based on the ability, track record and merit of each candidate.
“It should not matter who our fathers are. They should choose the best from among us, irrespective of our family background,” he said.
He said it was imperative for the delegates to make the right choices at this critical period.
“This line-up in Umno Youth is crucial, as they will face the challenge of restoring the people’s confidence in the Barisan Nasional for the next general election,” he said, adding that now was not the time for leaders to put self-interest above that of the party.
Other contenders are Khairun, the son of former Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Aseh Che Mat; Megat Firdous, the son of former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob and Dr Faizal, who is the son of controversial parliamentarian Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
