Rais slams arrogance of ‘out of touch’ Umno leaders

Rais Yatim says everybody should speak out as it is a right enshrined in Umno’s constitution.

(FMT) – The government’s adviser for social and cultural affairs, Rais Yatim, today launched a stinging attack on Umno, saying its leaders are arrogant.

In an an open letter to Umno information chief Annuar Musa, the veteran politician said party leaders were out of touch and unable to accept criticism.

“Yes, it is easy to accuse us of being out of touch with the grassroots,” he said in the letter, answering Annuar’s attack on him and former trade minister Rafidah Aziz.

“But in reality, our leaders are the ones who are out of touch, who do not have their feet on the ground. They are arrogant, aloof and do not like to be criticised.

“If they are criticised just a little bit, they get riled up so easily,” he said in the open letter posted on Facebook today.

Annuar yesterday said Rais and Rafidah, who had issued statements critical of the government, were experiencing post-retirement syndrome after holding high positions in government for so long.

He also said the duo, who once served under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, were still under the influence of the former prime minister.

Rais said everyone had the right to speak out, and questioned whether only younger leaders were allowed to criticise the administration.

He suggested that Umno members had not been vocal in critically addressing the controversies in the country.

“If you can count them with just one hand, it means the rights of the members to speak out have been buried,” he said.

Rais had in recent weeks spoken out against Putrajaya on matters such as 1MDB as well as the Anti-Fake News Bill.

“The practice and culture of criticism, within and without the party, is a must. If not, Article 3 of Umno’s constitution will end up being old newspaper used for packaging in grocery shops.

“To the Umno information chief, do your informing work properly. The people are anxious.

“Rafidah and I are not dangerous. The dangerous ones are out there. Don’t allow the right to speak in Umno become just a footnote,” he added.