‘Umno, BN have walked the talk’

‘NOT A POPULIST’: On Wednesday, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein walked into a room filled with droves of journalists at Wisma Perwira. He was rather apologetic for being late as he had to entertain guests from Saudi Arabia, who attended the Asean Wasatiyyah Conference 2016, which was held a few hours earlier. Looking quite relaxed in his dark blue suit sans tie, the Umno vice-president took a seat in a plush leather chair to begin the interview session ahead of the party’s general assembly next week. Hishammuddin told Syed Umar Ariff and Hana Naz Harun that he had been busy managing the tone and expectations of delegates. Admitting that he is shouldering a heavy load as a ‘lone’ party vice-president following Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s additional duties as Umno’s de facto No. 2, Hishammuddin stressed the need to be prepared for the next general election and the Malay party’s survival

Q: Do you expect the tone of the assembly to be geared more towards Umno’s preparation for elections?

A: (The motions are centred more on) politics and yes, the elections. Whether we like it or not the general election is just around the corner. Even the opposition has to prepare for it. In this assembly, we can applaud and cheer as loud as we like, but that alone would not bring any impact. Our future rests in the ballot boxes and not the cheers during the three-day assembly. The delegates must remember this.

Q: Based on the current political landscape, how do you think Umno and Barisan Nasional will fare in the upcoming elections?

A: That’s for the people to judge. Based on our performance in the Sarawak state election, you can gauge the sentiments. If it is as bad as some people claim, how would we also be able to win in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections?

The wins, however, are not a licence for us to be complacent. We must not feel that we are already so strong or that the opposition is worse. Their weakness cannot be our strength.

In the assembly, we need to identify our strengths and ensure that we defend our party from constant allegations and move forward with a new confidence as one unit. Members must realise that our agenda is more than just to continue governing the country, but also to ensure that we can safeguard our Malaysia, despite the instability in the world.

This is what makes Umno stand out from other political parties who do nothing but practise unhealthy politics, finding fault and pitting people against each other.

Q: Since the 2013 elections until today, do you think Umno and BN have walked the talk?

A: As far as we can, I think we have. It’s easy to talk, but many people who have now got the position, would find it very difficult to “walk”. Even if you talk to the president of the United States, he will find it difficult to walk the talk. In the run up to the presidential elections, you can talk all you like, but now he has got to walk the talk. The same applies here. At least as far as our party is concerned, we have walked, but there is room for improvement.

The opposition right now, all they have done is talk. The question should be asked to them whether they can actually walk the talk.

Q: What is your main concern in facing the next elections? A: Seat allocation among component parties and choosing the right candidates. Both will determine whether the constituents in the parliamentary and state seats will render their support to us. Based on our experience in the two by-elections this year, our wins were because we had candidates who were well accepted.

Q: Is there still a problem with warlords in Umno? A: That is just their leadership style, but if it can hinder the progress and future of the party, something must be done. There is a process and we’ve tried.

A party that has been around for so long is bound to have weaknesses and shortcomings. While we must overcome these, we can’t just make changes simply to just change. We cannot find shortcuts.

Q: Will this year’s Umno assembly be a platform to identify party candidates for the elections?

A: It would be a difficult thing to do in three days. The delegates will not determine who the party chooses as an election candidate. Even if every single person in Dewan Merdeka in Putra World

Trade Centre supports them, it doesn’t mean Umno and BN will win. The louder voice is the public. Whoever the candidate may be must realise that support from just Umno alone is not enough. If they want to come forward and offer themselves as leaders in this country, they must prove their capabilities in serving the people and their constituents.

Q: How do you think Umno has fared so far in elections, particularly in the urban seats?

A: I think a lot more work has to be done. The urban setting has got its own set of challenges and it is important for us to make sure that our strength is not just in rural and semi-urban areas.

I agree, the urban seats are the battlegrounds of the future. Issues faced by urban folks aren’t simple either, they range from cost of living, challenges of being in an urban setting, the issue of unity, economic empowerment, the have- and have-nots, and also the knowand know-nots, and educational empowerment. That is the future challenge for Umno. However, I don’t think this is something that can be resolved in the next few weeks. Give us a big mandate to run the country, then we can make sure we do what we can for urban constituents. Without a clear and strong mandate, there’s very little that we can do.

Q: Young voters seem to regard BN’s style of politics as “old school”. How can this be addressed?

A: We are in transition, but yes this is a challenge. We must get the support of both the “old school” and the new school. While we try to attract younger voters, we cannot forget the older generation. Having the support of all youths will not guarantee a win, so the party must also ensure that the older generation also feels comfortable. Just satisfying the needs of youths all the way is not a very good strategy. Q: A big part of the cabinet consists of Umno leaders. How can the balance between tackling issues such as economy, security and politics be achieved without steering away from the focus?

A: Sometimes in the populist political landscape filled with hatred and disunity, people tend to forget that Umno, along with our partners, have to also govern the country. We are faced with an uncertain world and I do feel disappointed when people take for granted the things we do, when I, for example, as both vice-president and defence minister place emphasis on security.

The opposition only points fingers and continues to vilify us. But this is politics.

In terms of safety and security, other countries, when faced with challenges, they fall. A change of leadership in Iraq and Libya for example, didn’t solve anything and it was their people who had to suffer. They become refugees, and their children have no access to education.

We (leaders) have to divide our tasks well and it is our duty as a responsible government to ensure that in whatever state of politics we are in, the economy, safety and the country’s defence is not on the line. This is not a simple task for a multi-cultural country like Malaysia.

Q: What is your view on the exodus of a few top Umno leaders led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

A: It isn’t Dr Mahathir’s first time exiting the party. The first time he did it, Umno did not crumble.

Dr Mahathir, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal aren’t the first Umno leaders to quit the party, even our founder, Datuk Onn Jaafar himself quit. But he did not ask the people to go to the streets and hold demonstrations, neither did