From UMNO Assembly To By-Elections

ARCHIVES 2009

By MT Webmaster On Apr 2, 2009

Tun Mahathir didn't want to attend the recently concluded UMNO assembly as he didn't "want to be associated with a party which condoned money politics." But 24 hours later he turned up at the assembly, saying the new Deputy president has "promised things will change."

By MOHSIN ABDULLAH/MySinchew

Exactly a week ago, UMNO made their decision at the ballot boxes, choosing the people they deem best to sit at the party's highest level. Four days from today, the rakyat in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai will decide, also via ballot boxes, who should represent them in parliament and state assembly. And would it be far fetched to say that the decision UMNO made on March 26 would have some "bearing" on the outcome of the by elections especially at the two bukits? I don't think so as many feel the people UMNO chose last Thursday do have some effect on the people to be chosen by the rakyat on 7 Apri.

Having said that it's only natural to take a look again at the folks picked as leaders by UMNO delegates last week. They, especially those sitting in the supreme council are seen as "new." However considering age and the number of years they have been in UMNO, they are anything but new. They are not "new faces" but new in their current position.

And many of them are labeled "vocal," something which they take pride in as that dispelled them as yes man. That should be good for the party as a party made up of yes men is no good. Right ? Still they must admit they being vocal is because the space to be vocal was given by their just resigned president (who will also seek an audience with the King tomorrow to express his desire to resign as PM) .

But in being vocal they have hurt the feelings of others especially the non Malays. The vocal lot in the UMNO supreme council is rightly or wrongly seen by many as "racists'. And by choosing them to sit in the party's governing body, delegates seem to be wanting UMNO to be "ultra Malay." That can be quite "touchy" in wooing votes at the April 7 by elections. And all elections to come (the speeches of some delegates at the UMNO assembly not helping matters either).

Is that the "changes" UMNO folks are clamoring for? We know the "new" UMNO lineup burst into the scene vowing to make changes. The fact that they have been voted in office meant UMNO want them to make changes.

But considering their long time membership, like it or not they are associated with whatever's not right in UMNO, the very wrongs they now want to right. But why now? Why didn't they make the changes then ? To be fair, they were not in the position to make changes before. Now they are .

So what changes are they talking about? To party stalwart Rais Yatim, there's nothing wrong with UMNO per se or UMNO as a party.The founding fathers had made it "perfect" ,said Rais. To him it's the members who should change, ridding themselves of "bad behavior." We know what's he's taking about , don't we ?. Rafidah Aziz, another UMNO stalwart agrees, saying " change does not mean to change an individual but to discard undesirable attitudes, approaches and practices in the party." That was how The Star newspaper quoted her. Incidently Rafidah lost her Wanita head post.

Still all agree, changes to be made are those which will UMNO "truly democratic" and to "wipe out" money politics. Aaah, yes money politics. Everyone's (in UMNO) favourite subject. Leaders and members alike.

Anyway ,the ‘funny' thing is if everybody in UMNO is dead against money politics and kept talking on how's "it's done" then who on earth is doing it?

"Funnier" still–when an UNMO man (or woman, lest I be accused of being gender bias. Bad enough only one woman was elected into the supreme council to sit side by aside a man seen as "sexist" for his remarks in parliament).

I write that again–when an UMNO man or woman talks about money politics he or she is actually saying candidates are offering money to be voted and delegates are accepting bribes.

But when results are announced everybody say the delegates have spoken, they have made their choice , they want a team which can lead etc

But it was only 24 hours earlier the same delegates were accused of being a bunch who can be bought over. As for candidates well, it's like–If I win, the delegates are "matured, they know who to chose." But if I lose then the delegates are "corrupt and have been bought over by my opponents with lots of money." I do not envy Datuk Seri Najib Razak at all. There's a lot to be done.

MOHSIN ABDULLAH is Editor-in-Chief News and Current Affairs ntv7 & 8TV