Party’s failure to chart direction to blame for exits, says veteran

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s failure to chart its direction after becoming an opposition party following the 14th General Election (GE14) is why many of its elected representatives are leaving.

Party veteran Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said Umno should have planned what it needed to do the moment it lost GE14.

“Umno took too long to reestablish and strengthen itself after it became an opposition party, to the extent that its elected representatives got worried.

“I see that Umno is still looking for a proper direction.

“It has been seven months since it lost (GE14), but there is still no appropriate decision on what direction the party should take.

“It’s no wonder many elected representatives are leaving. They cannot just keep silent without guidance from its leaders.”

He was commenting on the exit of four members of parliament, nine assemblymen, two senators and 21 division leaders from Sabah Umno on Wednesday, citing a loss of trust in its leadership.

Aziz, who is also Malaysian People’s Representative Council president, said Umno’s leadership should be responsible for what occurred in the party.

“Leaders should keep members, down to the grassroots, informed about the party’s struggle in the new era so that they do not have to wait too long.

“Umno needs its own initiative. Otherwise, more people will be disappointed and look for guidance outside Umno.

“That’s what happened in Sabah. Indirectly, it has eroded Umno’s position.”