Expert: Polls result shows desire for reform
The Umno election proved there are desires and efforts by its grassroots to reform the party, despite the effort not bearing any result.
Political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said based on the high amount of votes received by Khairy Jamaluddin as compared with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Ku Li) in their attempt to gain the party’s president post, there was a group in Umno that tried to reform the party.
“Despite Khairy’s defeat, he received a high number of votes and beat Ku Li.
“This showed that there are members who want to bring change to Umno.
“We know Khairy represents a young group (of party members) and the result showed there is an attempt to reform the party.
“Khairy lost to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi due to the orang lama factor. The latter is more influential and well liked by the old guard in the party,” Mazlan told the New Straits Times Press yesterday.
The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political lecturer said Zahid could not ignore the amount of votes garnered by Khairy as it reflected how determined some members wanted change.
He said Zahid carried a responsibility to bring a new image for Umno.
“While Zahid won, he needs to take note about the high number of votes that went to Khairy. Despite Khairy not becoming a leader, the president needs to bring a new image for Umno so that it can fulfil the demands of the post-14th General Election political landscape.
“Parties that continue to uphold Malay rights, such as Umno, are relevant, but in the future, those that represent all races will become more successful.”