Umno comes to its senses

INAPT as it was for such a long time, the phrase “a breath of fresh air” can finally be used to describe Umno’s recently concluded general assembly.

The emphatically dissimilar gathering was a marked change from previous annual meets at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

It was certainly a far cry from the assemblies that I used to cover during my reporting days when the party was the overriding political force in Malaysia.

I am talking about the days when its chest-thumping leaders and delegates spewed speeches laden with racial rhetoric directed at “enemies” and “pendatang” (immigrants). The abbreviation of the prepotent party’s name was also interpreted as “U Must Not Oppose”.

While optimism was the overall atmosphere at the assembly, which was held in the wake of Barisan Nasional’s success in the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan a week earlier, the prevalent mood reflected the acceptance of today’s political realities.

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani wrested Nenggiri by a majority of 3,352 votes. He beat Perikatan Nasional’s Mohd Rizwadi – the candidate picked to replace Bersatu’s Mohd Azizi Abu Naim.

On June 18, Kelantan Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah ruled that Mohd Azizi ceased to be a member of Bersatu after he declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, triggering a by-election for the first time under Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law.

Mohd Azizi, who is also Gua Musang MP, was among seven Bersatu lawmakers whose party membership was terminated for voicing support for the ruling government.

Umno, the lynchpin of the once mighty Barisan Nasional, held the seat for four terms from 2004 but lost to Mohd Azizi by 810 votes in the 15th Kelantan state election in August last year.

Barisan is now a component in Anwar’s unity government with Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Parti Warisan.

Unlike in previous by-elections, Umno’s campaign in the remote Nenggiri seat focused on local issues which clicked well with the younger generation. Voters under the age of 39 make up 61% of the 20,259 electorate. Malays comprise 86% while 14% are Orang Asli.

The opening address by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the start of the general assembly on Aug 23 reflected the reality of Umno’s challenges today.

He outlined three areas in which the party must go forward. The first was to regain dominance in Malaysian politics. The other two were political cooperation with Islam and Malay rights as core principles, and moderate politics of the middle ground to ensure national stability.

“As part of the unity government, we have never been stopped from setting big goals. We have the right to return to dominance via the path we forge. Because we are a party that is free and independent. This view should not be interpreted as arrogance,” he said.

But Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the party must come out of its “echo chamber and comfort zone” to accept new ideas and views in the current political landscape.

“With the increase of new voters, can we control their perception? Members alone cannot ensure us a win. The determining factor is the voter base out there, which is much bigger,” he said.

At the end of the assembly, the Umno president said self-criticism is vital for strengthening the party.

“Despite having been the backbone of the government for the past two years, we need to acknowledge we are not perfect. Self-criticism is necessary to fix our weaknesses,” he said.

Has the Umno leadership finally come to its senses since losing power to Pakatan in the 14th General Election in 2018 after ruling the country for 61 years?

Based on the temperate statements made by key leaders during the assembly, it certainly seems so.

Take this assertion by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, for example: “Making use of race and religion for the sake of gaining support among certain demographics is an outdated political tool.”

Speaking to delegates, he said Umno should no longer rely on race and religion to gather support.

“We seek Malays who are not only wise but who are also pioneers of a new revolution in advancing Malaysia’s industry, digital landscape and economy.

“Our efforts should focus on elevating the knowledge, skills and competitiveness of the Malay community – and this agenda must be pursued with sincerity.”

Mohamed Khaled was also of the view that Umno must collaborate with other political parties as Barisan no longer had the strength to win elections and govern Malaysia on its own.

He said Umno could no longer compel other parties to become Barisan partners and so it must work well with others.

“Umno must foster friend- ships, be open and share power to ensure Malaysia’s success.

“Embracing political diversity and moderation should remain our core strength and principle. We must operate with the political reality of pluralism,” he was reported as saying.

Another party vice-president, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, challenged the prevailing notion within Umno regarding its relationship with the Malay community.

“According to the statistics, in Kelantan, we secured two state seats out of 45. In Terengganu, zero out of 36. In Kedah, zero out of 36. In Perlis, zero out of 15. And in Selangor, two out of 56 – these are areas with large Malay populations.

“If Malays truly need Umno, how is it that we have such poor results? Personally, I need Umno.

“If we continue to believe that Malays need Umno and yet see these results, we will fail,” he said in his speech.

He urged the party to rise again and become more dynamic, fresh, clean, consistently moderate, progressive and be representative of all communities.

More importantly, Johari said the party should not live on past glories, adding that if mistakes had been made, Umno should acknowledge them and apologise to Malaysians.

Media consultant M. Veera Pandiyan likes this quote from Tunku Abdul Rahman: ‘We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Let us always remember that unity is our fundamental strength as a people and as a nation.’ The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.