MUSTAPA FRUSTRATED BY SLOW REFORM PROGRESS AT UMNO

Rebranding must happen by year-end or it’ll be difficult to get party back on track, says Jeli MP

DATUK Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who quit Umno on Tuesday, has said he was frustrated with the apparent lack of urgency to reform the 72-year-old party.

In an interview with the New Straits Times on Sept 4, the Jeli member of parliament had voiced his concern that the party had not made significant efforts to change after the 14th General Election.

“People want to see changes. The onus is on us to make sure we reform the party so that it will be acceptable to all. Sadly, that has not been the case.”

He said everyone in Umno had a role to play in rebranding the party and that it was not the work of a single person.

“It requires the involvement of all, from the bottom to the top. Enough of finger pointing.”

He said even grassroots leaders could effect change by creating a ripple in the system and make a big impact.

He said the rebranding of Umno should happen at least by year-end or internal dissatisfaction would lead to more serious implications and make it more difficult for the party to get back on track.

Mustapa’s decision to quit shocked many within and without Umno. The former Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman has always been a crowd favourite, thanks to his composed demeanour. He is perhaps one of the few politicians who are respected by both sides of the divide. During the Umno polls nomination last June, many grassroots members pledged their support for Mustapa to contest one of the top three posts: vice-president, deputy president or president. However, he chose to contest the Umno Supreme Council seat and secured the highest number of votes (168 votes over 191 divisions).

When asked why he did not go for one of the top posts, Mustapa said he had never harboured such a plan.

“I am not that ambitious. I am grateful for whatever that has been bestowed by Allah.

“I have a productive life and have done my best for my constituents. I think I have served my state and country well.

“I have reached the peak of my political career and I do not wish to go further. I am one of the lucky ones and I thank Allah for everything that I have achieved.” He said it took him some time to come to terms with Barisan Nasional’s shocking defeat on May 9.

He said it dawned on him that there had been a radical shift in the country’s administration only at midnight.

“It was nearly 1am. Of course, it came as a shock for everyone in Umno and BN. But that should be behind us now. What’s more important is the future.”

He said Umno needed to accept the fact that Malaysians had rejected BN.

“It has to move on.”

The priority, he said, was to secure a better future for Malaysia, regardless of political affiliation.

“Sometimes, there is too much politicking, which is not good. We must work together towards a better Malaysia for all.”

Umno has to move on without Mustapa, better known as Tok Pa. Observers reckon that a leader with his qualities and vision is a big loss to the party.

With Tok Pa’s exit and the possible exodus of many more, it could be a case of too little, too late for Umno.