UMNO VETERANS SOUND THE DEATH KNELL FOR OWN PARTY: THE ‘TRUE’ UMNO WOULD NOT BURDEN ITS OWN RACE & SHAME THE COUNTRY
AFTER more than 70 years of leading the country, Umno no longer represents the aspirations of the people who have largely lost faith in the party.
“Umno has lost its spirit, identity and integrity and it no longer inspires the people,” said Umno veteran Zainudin Maidin.
Zainudin, who was formerly chief editor of Malay-language paper Utusan Melayu, said he had covered all of the country’s former prime ministers as a journalist, adding that the current era was the worst that Umno has ever experienced with the loss of confidence, economic downturn and political instability.
“The Malays once lost confidence in the leadership of Tunku (Abdul Rahman), but they never lost confidence in Umno.
“Now, they have not only lost confidence in the leadership, but also in Umno,” he said.
Former Wanita Selangor chief Rakibah Abdul Manap said she was disappointed that Umno was now despised and shunned by the people.
“In the past, we wore our Umno uniform with pride and dignity. Others, the opposition, feared us but it’s different now. Umno is shunned,” she told The Malaysian Insight.
After more than three decades of being in Umno, Rakibah said she was disappointed that iconic leaders, such as Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, were no longer with the party.
“(Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin) were people I once loved and respected. I don’t understand why it has become like this.
“If the leaders of today are wrong, then they should treat them like their own children and advise them nicely. That’s how you show responsibility and love for one another. But now, after a small mistake, they leave the party.”
Dr Mahathir formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) last year with former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin.
Former Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Junid says the present crop of Umno leaders are only interested to enrich themselves. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 11, 2017.
Former Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Junid, who followed Dr Mahathir’s decision to leave, said Umno no longer existed in its original form and has abandoned its struggles.
“I’m actually not interested in thinking about the Umno I used to be a member of because I feel that it no longer exists.
“(It is now) a party with the same name (but) does not have the spirit and goals of the Umno that I used to be a part of,” he told The Malaysian Insight in a text message.
He said Umno leaders of the past would never be “entrapped in money” as the current crop of leaders were.
“The true Umno will not burden its own race and shame the country. The Umno leaders that I know, whatever their weaknesses, would not fear taking the side of truth.”
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
LEADERS TO HEED CALLS FOR CHANGE, SYED ALI PREDICTS ‘TSUNAMI UMNO’
Emphasising the need to embrace change, Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin said Umno cannot rest on its laurels.
Khaled said the party, which celebrates its 71st anniversary today, should not depend on nostalgia, where tales of its past struggles are repeated.
Umno, he added, cannot remain as an “archive or story teller (penglipur lara)”.
Calling on the party to be more realistic and open, Khaled said: “Umno must see the surrounding situation and listen to the demands for change, which are not only present in all corners of the nation, but also reverberate within Umno itself.”
The menteri besar said it is imperative that Umno seeks the best narrative to continue leading this nation.
“Umno must be prepared to converse in the language of change. Umno must be bold in approaching the youth and millennial generation.
“Umno must be capable of exhibiting maturity and a leadership capable of addressing the challenges of the 21st century,” Khaled added in a statement.
‘Tsunami Umno’ heading for Selangor
In another statement, Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee said he is confident the party would retain control of Putrajaya in the coming general election.
On the same note, Syed Ali predicted that a “Tsunami Umno” would hit several opposition-held states, especially Selangor.
Selangor, which has been under the control of the opposition coalition since the 2008 general election, has become a focal point following the souring of ties between PKR and PAS.
At its recent mukatamar, PAS resolved to end its political cooperation with PKR.
The Majlis Syura of PAS is expected to make a final decision on this at a meeting scheduled for 3pm today.
Syed Ali also dismissed the opposition’s claim that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s administration is losing support.
He claimed that support for Umno and the Najib administration is strong among all races, especially the Malays.
“Tsunami Umno will demolish the opposition’s dream of controlling Putrajaya in the coming general election,” Syed Ali added.
– M’kini
FRAID NO ONE WILL TURN UP? DESPERATE NAJIB ROUNDING UP STUDENTS FOR UMNO’S BIRTHDAY BASH TONIGHT?
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) have denied allegations that students from the university are being made to attend the party’s 71st anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
The claims have been made on Twitter, with some UiTM students saying that they have been made to attend a “volunteer program” by the university later today.
PKR deputy youth chief Dr Afif Bahardin claimed he received a WhatsApp message from a UiTM staff member regarding the same issue.
But Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa denied the claims, saying that the Umno anniversary celebrations tonight were “open” to anyone interested in taking part.
“Tonight is an open event. Anyone can go. It’s an open carnival. No instructions [to UiTM] and no problem. It is a public space.
“If UiTM wants to join, no problem,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted this afternoon.
Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim, who sits on UiTM’s board of directors, believes that such claims are fake and aimed at tainting the good image of UiTM.
“I have no information regarding this. I think this is an accusation and an irresponsible claim which can damage the image and good name of UiTM,” he told Malay Mail Online.
Malay Mail Online has also contacted UiTM vice-chancellor Datuk Hassan Said and is awaiting his official response.
Earlier today on Twitter, some user who said they were UiTM students claimed they had no idea the “volunteer program” they were meant to attend was in fact related to Umno’s anniversary gathering.
“i dont even know ada kena mengena dgn UMNO tbh. I thought it was for sport event or something cause they say we ‘volunteer’.
“Translation: I don’t even know there was anything to do with Umno to be honest. I thought it was for a sporting event or something because they say we ‘volunteer’,” Twitter user @solerarity said in reply to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, and attached what appears to be letter from the vice-chancellor regarding the matter.
A screenshot of the alleged WhatsApp message.
A screenshot of the alleged WhatsApp message.Syed Saddiq had asked Twitter users to share any information regarding UiTM students being made to attend Umno’s event tonight.
PKR’s Dr Afif also alleged that there was an effort by Umno to “manipulate and mobilise” university students to attend the event.
“We suspect that the program involves Umno’s 71 anniversary celebrations,” Afif said in a statement.
He also included screenshots of the WhatsApp message allegedly from a UiTM staff member detailing the students’ involvement in the Umno gathering.
About 140,000 party members from all corners of the country are expected to attend tonight’s event which will be attended and officiated by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The event will also see the launch of the construction of the 70-storey KL Putra tower and the presentation of the Distinguished Malay Figure (Tokoh Melayu Terbilang) award to three recipients.
There will also be lucky draws offering prizes worth about RM1 million, including six cars and 10 motorcycles at the event.
– Malay Mail
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