Umno no longer 'grand old party', just 'old', says Hasni

JOHOR BARU: Umno, long known as Malaysia’s “grand old party” is no longer grand, claims Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

The former Johor Umno chief said it would be difficult for the party to regain the trust of the Malays in future if it continues to “hallucinate in reforming itself and fails to provide clarity of conviction”.

“In the popular nomenclature, Umno is known as Malaysia’s ‘grand old party’, specifically for the Malays - now, it is no longer ‘grand’ but instead an ‘old’ party,” said the Simpang Renggam MP, who is also Benut assemblyman.

“In reforming Umno and Barisan Nasional, the people must see hope in its leadership and make freedom of speech and constructive criticism more of a source of strength instead of a sign of weakness,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (June 22).

Hasni, who is also former Johor mentri besar, had earlier given similar views in a forum titled “Governing in the Shadow of Umno’s Long Rule: Anwar Ibrahim’s Formula and Prospects for Reform” organised by Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

He said that Umno and Barisan should continue to support the stability of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, especially in the upcoming elections in six states.

“Even if Umno does not score a considerable win in the state elections, the unity government should not be seen as under threat of destabilisation; instead, it is the Umno leadership that will be faced with heavy scrutiny,” he added.