Tok Mat: Kill money politics before it kills Umno

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno needs to get rid of money politics and make generational change if it wants to remain relevant and trusted, says deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.

Party members, he said, must have the determination not just to fight but to kill money politics, pointing out that it was because of money politics that Umno was “where it is now”.

“It has not just caused Umno to lose but has made the party weak and non-resilient. To all Umno members, realise this. Money politics is just ugly, disgusting and vile.

“Umno is only for those who are clean and committed to a struggle and who love their race. We must kill money politics before money politics kills Umno,” he said in his first address to the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings since the party’s poor performance in GE15.

Instead of money and power, he said Umno must use progressive ideas and intelligence as its political capital.

This, he said, could be achieved through generational change, which was much needed by the party as seniority or age should not be used as an asset among Umno leaders.

“We must allow the party to be led by its current generation, who has a better understanding of current political needs and demands,” he said, adding that Umno members must have the commitment to cure, heal and rebuild Umno.

“What is the future of Umno, given the current political development? To be honest, I have no answer.

“But there is only one mission for us - which is to lead Umno the best way we can so that the people will have the confidence in us,” he said.

Mohamad said as the way forward, there must be collective responsibility to rebuild Umno, adding that any struggle that the party choose must have the support of the Umno leaders, members and the Malays.

Umno, as part of the unity government, would lead transparently and manage the country responsibly, he added.

The party, said Mohamad, must forget its desire to be in total power and instead play its role to fight for good policies, fresh ideas, transparent practices and pragmatic thinking.

He assured Umno members that despite being in the government, the party would act as check and balance that would be firm and effective.