Mohamad Hasan reveals reason for Umno's loss in GE14
Negri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman and former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s goal in contesting the No. 2 post in the party election is to restore party members’ spirit following Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the 14th General Election on May 9. In a special interview with the New Straits Times Press reporters RUDY FAZRUNISYAM SAMARUDIN and
NUR AQIDAH AZIZI, Mohamad shares his plans to rebuild Umno and bring back its glory days
Question: Why do you want to contest the Umno deputy president’s post?
Answer: I had wanted to quit politics for good. If Barisan Nasional had lost Negri Sembilan, but retained the Federal Government in GE14, I would have stepped down.
But, then, I looked at the people and told myself that I have to be strong. I was born in a family of staunch Umno supporters.
I remember seeing my father ride his bicycle around just to help with Umno’s struggles for the Malays.
I felt the need to be with my friends and other Umno fighters to continue this battle.
Umno is a continuous fight. For the sake of religion, race and our homeland, the party will continue to fight for its dignity and this has strengthened my desire to serve the people. I must be here with the rest of the fighters in Umno.
Genuine fighters in the party will not be discouraged.
The struggle of Umno is not in the destination, but in the journey and it will continue to be so.
Q: Apart from yourself, who
else is qualified to hold the No. 2 post in Umno?
A: I don’t know. We have opened the door to all aspiring leaders to put their names forward for the party election.
I am informed that Datuk Seri Hishammudin (Hussein) is not planning to contest any posts. That is why I offered myself.
I believe that there are other Umno leaders who are qualified to contest the Umno deputy president’s post.
In Umno, the deputy president’s post is important as he chairs the management committee.
Umno needs to be managed well. And, in any general election or by-election, the deputy president will lead the charge as the party election director.
Q: Will you form a team with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah or Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the party polls?
A: I have not and will not form a team with anyone. I can work with anybody because my sole focus is to rebuild the party.
If I am needed, then I will be here.
I hope in the current situation, party members will change their mindset.
If they want to choose a leader, choose the one who can truly be a leader.
Do not vote for someone based on the advantages they will get in return. If they want “something” from me in return, I am sorry but I have nothing to offer.
Q: Are you confident about your ability to rebuild Umno if you are given the No. 2 post? A: With the cooperation of all party members, I am confident that the party will rise again. We had won 13 elections. Being defeated once does not mean it is the end of the world.
We will pick up the pieces again and come back stronger than before.
We need to empower ourselves and hopefully we can learn something from our defeat in GE14.
We must have leaders who can help bring Umno to the top again.
Q: What is your opinion on views that it will take a long time for BN and Umno to rise again?
A: When the party was defeated (in GE14), it came as a shock.
However, the impact of the defeat has resulted in an increase in the number of attendees at Umno’s branch meetings. This is a good sign.
It has been way better than before the election.
This shows that the Malays have slowly regained their spirit and I am confident that if we are united, Umno will rise again.
Q: What is your view of party leaders who have expressed an interest in contesting the three vice-president’s posts?
A: From the list, I can see quite a number of candidates who are credible and known for their integrity.
If possible, we want to invite more members with calibre, especially from Umno branches, to contest.
Q: Do you agree that the vicepresident’s posts should be filled by young leaders, such as Khairy Jamaluddin?
A: That would be a good development for Umno.
Many young party members have offered themselves to contest a spot in Umno’s Supreme Council. This is also a good development.
At first, when we opened the nominations to all members, we were worried that no one would want to step in. But, it turned out to be the other way round.
This clearly shows that many are still interested in offering themselves as leaders, especially among the young ones.
It is clear that there’s a silver lining in Umno’s loss in GE14.
Q: What does Umno need to do to change public perception towards the party, which has been labelled a corrupt political entity with self-centred leaders?
A: This is the perception disorder that is currently happening. We are too focused on the election that we forgot about the big elephant in the room. We were in a state of denial. Many issues, including the Goods and Services Tax and other issues, were not explained well to the people, who were burdened by the rising cost of living.
There were attempts to explain, but it was not done properly. We were in denial syndrome and people were restless.
Umno members need to be wise in making their choices. If money politics and other advantage-based politics are recurring in the party, then it is very unfortunate.
Selecting a leader means members also need to look at their background, which can lead Umno to be a better party.
Party members should ensure that elected leaders are credible, have high integrity, are competitive and humble.
We must fight and address issues that are close to the Malays, such as the position of the Malay language, the royal institution and the Islamic religion.
Umno’s future lies in the hands of Malays and I am confident that the Malays will not throw Umno away. They are not angry with the party, but only with some leaders. Umno has to give the signal to the Malays that the party has changed and will continue to uphold the basis of its struggle. Q: Do you think Pakatan Harapan will continue to be in power after GE15?
A: Wallahu A’lam (Only God knows). Even in football, you have to wait 90 minutes before the game is over.
PH has only played 10 minutes into the game. So, let them be.
We don’t interfere in another party’s business. I don’t need to comment as I am not a sore loser. I just want to take good care of my party.