Zahid and Khairy hoping for an Umno revival

ALL eyes are on Umno today as it chooses a new president and other key office-bearers. Two of the three key candidates for the top job – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Khairy Jamaluddin – share their thoughts on their plans to revive Umno. The following are excerpts of their written replies to a similar set of questions from The Star.

On what needs to change in Umno Dr Ahmad Zahid: We were com-

placent. Some of us were happy in our comfort zone. This proved to be a disaster. This time around, we must get it right. Gone are the days of common perception that only those with royal blood and aristocrats are fit to lead the party. Bid goodbye to politics of authoritarianism and compartmentalisation. Umno is not anyone’s personal domain. Millions of members have a right to it, the right to rehabilitate and strengthen the party. Umno is for all members, no more teams and no more room for dictators.

Khairy: We must get rid of politics of patronage. Loyalty to the party does not mean loyalty to the president, and we can no longer protect the president and the party leaders from the ugly truths – from the rakyat’s grievances to the party policies. For far too long, the party and its leaders have been perceived by many to be arrogant, samseng (hooligans), racist, right-winged and sexist. Now is the time to end this.

On their 100-day plan for Umno should they win the presidency Dr Ahmad Zahid: We must come

up with new ideas on how to get back the formidable Umno which once had the trust from Malaysians and respect from other parties. This does not rest on the leadership alone but is a concerted effort by all. We must be able to attain this in 100 days or less. Be an “Umnoist” in the true term, and not riding it for fame or personal glory.

Khairy: Firstly, we will have to get our house in order and sort out the party assets frozen by the MACC ( Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission), and ensure that Umno does not get deregistered. We will meet the Government if we have to, explain ourselves and if it comes down to it, fight for the party’s legitimacy. I also want to start bolstering our side to become a formidable Opposition by setting up a shadow Cabinet, keeping the ministers in close scrutiny and check and balance.

On preventing a further split in Umno due to the presidential contest Dr Ahmad Zahid: We must

ensure that the politics of self-interest, dominance of “godfathers” and a caste system in the party disappear. In other words, this revived Umno must comprise pure loyalists, and stay open from top to bottom so as to encourage more communication, including with the grassroots.

Khairy: There are still roles for Zahid and Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) to play in the party, even if I become president. And if I am not chosen to be Umno president, I will not leave the party either. This is my lifelong commitment to the party. As long as I breathe, I will continue to fight alongside the party in rebuilding that trust between the rakyat and Umno and Barisan Nasional.

On making Umno a strong Opposition party Dr Ahmad Zahid:

Individually, we have the most seats in Parliament. But other parties formed a pact under Pakatan Harapan. Let’s not touch on what they are and intend to do but Umno must prove that it is a constructive Opposition. Its a bit odd to see a Malay party on the other side of the Dewan Rakyat. But we’ll be there to support what is right and oppose what is deemed not right for the country and rakyat. Like in some governments, the Opposition works closely with the government of the day in formulating development programmes for the people.

Khairy: First, we need to be true to ourselves and our defeat. Whatever happened to us, was not because we lost a “perception war”. The rejection is real.

We have to start acting like a formidable and credible Opposition, one that is competent, intelligent and able to give sound criticism to the Government.

We need to keep them in close scrutiny and provide the check and balance, and at the same time, provide solid alternative ideas to the people and remind them what made Barisan Nasional strong.

PETALING JAYA: There will be a hive of activity at the Umno headquarters as the party chooses its central and divisional leadership for the next three-year term.

All eyes will be on Menara Dato’ Onn to see who among the three presidential candidates – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah – will emerge victorious.

Observers are taking a keen interest on the goings-on in Umno for it is after all one of the oldest and most influential political parties in the country, having been set up in 1946. This is the first time since 1987 that the party presidency is being contested.

In the party polls 31 years ago, the top post, then held by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was ironically challenged by Tengku Razaleigh.

While the party initially called for a no-contest for the two top posts, its dismal performance leading to the fall of Barisan Nasional in the GE14 forced Umno to allow contest for all positions.

Besides the party president’s post, the deputy, three vice-presidencies and 25 supreme council member posts will all be up for grabs. This will be the second time – the first being in 2013 – that Umno is holding an “open election” which will allow 160,000 delegates to choose their party leadership.

Prior to this, the central leadership was chosen by some 2,000 delegates at the general assembly.

This morning, all of the party’s 191 divisions will convene their meetings which will be followed by delegates voting for both divisional and central leadership posts simultaneously.

The polling method is the same as the general election – delegates are given ballot papers to mark and once done, it is slotted into the ballot boxes.

The party uses an electoral college system of election where each division carries only one vote for each post.

The candidate with the highest number of ballots from a particular division will get the division’s single vote.

At the PWTC, four divisions – Putrajaya, Bukit Bintang, Subang and Kepong – will hold their meetings.

While many are eager to know the outcome, the results are expected to be made known late at night or even possibly even tomorrow, depending on the counting process and should there be a re-count due to disputes.