UMNO STUCK IN ‘OLD THINKING’
Amanah veep says he had expected to see major changes in opposition party
THE election of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Umno president shows there is no reform agenda in the party, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vicepresident Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said yesterday.
He said the people had expected to see major changes in Umno, especially after the party’s fall from grace in the 14th General Election.
He said Zahid’s victory showed that the majority of Umno members were still trapped in “old thinking”.
“Usually, when a party loses badly in the election, its main agenda is to reform. This means everything will be made new,” he said at the Penang Amanah Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.
“But, we don’t see this happening in Umno. It would be a different story if Khairy Jamaluddin or someone else was elected to lead Umno. All I can say is congratulations to the new team. We hope to see some reforms.”
Mujahid expressed disbelief over the fact that Umno members had chosen “someone who was under investigation and responsible for what happened in the past” to be its new president.
“It’s not my problem, but I am still surprised and shocked.”
Khairy came in second in Umno’s elections on Saturday, followed by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, who is also defence minister, congratulated Zahid on his win and said: “He (Zahid) and his party can reprimand us (the Pakatan Harapan-led Federal Government) if there are any weaknesses in running the government. I hope they play their role well, now that they are the opposition.”
Mohamad said several Umno lawmakers, who quit the party recently, had indicated that they wanted to join Amanah.
“Like I said, if they are just ordinary members, we can take them in anytime. But as for leaders, we have to discuss as we need to determine whether they are joining us because they want posts in the party.”
Mujahid said Khairy was correct to say that Umno still enjoyed majority support among Malay voters, but that could change in the next few years.
“The voters have not seen what PH leaders are capable of delivering and, given time, they will open up to us,” he said.
“This new administration has started numerous initiatives.
“I’m sure the newly-appointed Islamic affairs minister will have his work cut out for him to show people our inclusiveness, progressiveness and, more importantly, our openness.”