Get rid of the elitist and arrogant leaders, says Ku Li

(FMT) – For Umno to win the 15th general election (GE15), the party should field candidates free of “court cases and those who are not arrogant”, party veteran leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah advised the party.

He gave examples of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman as the kind of leaders who should in charge.

The Gua Musang MP said the candidate should be hands-on and “not just sit in the office and instruct”.

“They should be able to be part of the rakyat. Not elitist,” he said in an interview with The Malaysian Insight.

For instance, he said Nik Aziz used to be humble and ever willing to meet people.

“He was humble. The rakyat want people with whom they can discuss issues,” he said, adding that politicians should also reply to questions on their cellphones.

He said the rakyat wanted answers. “We need to respond. We cannot ignore our surroundings. That is our responsibility.”

Razaleigh added that Tunku Abdul Rahman was respected by all as he united Malaysians of various religions and races.

“It is difficult to find such a man. He was accepted as a father figure by the Chinese, Dayaks and everyone.”

Razaleigh, who is one of the country’s longest-serving MPs, was also asked on how the party could stay in power.

He reminded party members that Umno was part of the people’s movement to protect the Malays and the Sultans during the colonial area.

“It has a nationalistic base and was not set up by an individual.”

On the future of Umno, Razaleigh said the party would survive as long as it has public support and confidence.

“Even though we lost in GE14, the grassroots support still remains.

“A lot of people have benefited from Umno,” he said, adding that it had raised the standard of living of many through education, housing, jobs and providing public infrastructure.

On the present political instability, he questioned if the prime minister still had majority support, adding that a parliamentary sitting was necessary to determine this.

“If Muhyiddin has the support, then no one would want to take his seat,” he said, adding that this was part of the Constitution which people needed to protect.

Razaleigh also raised questions on investors’ confidence in the country and job losses. He said the people on the ground were suffering.

“A single clerk vacancy sees over 400 people applying for it. Some eat once every two days. Try asking (the public). I have already asked,” Razaleigh said.