Shahrir: Umno should focus more on grassroots leadership

JOHOR BARU: Umno needs to shift its focus to grassroots leadership in order to play a stronger role as an opposition party, says Umno veteran Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.

The party should restructure itself into one that is less centralised as this approach is better suited for Umno now, said Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru Umno division chief.

“As an opposition party, we do not have the capacity that we used to have as the government in solving the country’s problems.

“We need to adapt to the current situation and have a more decentralised structure to fit our current position,” he told reporters after attending a fun run here yesterday.

He said both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional leaders seemed to have difficulty adjusting to their new role in serving the people.

“Pakatan Harapan leaders failed to do a good job in their role as the government, with their actions and statements causing concern among Malaysians. As for some Barisan leaders, they could also be seen having a tough time adjusting to being on the opposition bench, causing them to take the easy way out by leaving the party,” he added.

Shahrir said that 2018 was a year full of “awareness” for Malaysians who witnessed for themselves the reality of politics here.

“Before the general election, many were made to believe that the economic and social aspects of the country would change for the better if the government changes. But the reality now is far from ideal.”

Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohamed said the “stunts” of Umno leaders leaving the party were a reflection of the character of the individuals and not the party.

“During times like this, many would take advantage of painting a negative image of the party but the reality is that those who left had done so out of their own free will,” he said.