Umno need to be re-invented based on new model
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 11, 2008
Suria Kenchana

As I had predicted there would be a lot of finger-pointing and strong self-denial of all factors that had actually contributed to the devastating performance of Umno in the last general election by all factions of the party. This is their entrenched culture: chauvinism, bigotry, egotism and self-righteousness. The fact that all the key players are now actively engaged in free-for-all internecine feuds with each other is a great testimony to this. Indeed this is not something that would benefit Malaysians in general and the Malays in particular. MCPX

I totally agree with the view that with the complete destruction of MCA, MIC and Gerakan, what is left of the former Barisan Nasional coalition will be a dilapidated structure that had been razed to the ground. Only badly disfigured images of Umno will remain. Even this is disintegrating very fast. Indeed, on hindsight, one wonders why such a blatantly crude and cruel political structure had been allowed to rule the country for so long.

There is no point in prolonging these confrontations anymore as it does not benefit anyone. Even as it was, the BN and Umno had been dinosaurs as it they had not been able to reinvent themselves to meet the fast-changing social and mental developments of Malaysians any longer.

With better education, better communication and exposure to globalisation, Malaysians have developed a new self-image and aspirations. They now demand equity with meritocracy in a caring environment where the less fortunate are not being abandoned. This requires the government in power to practice good governance with transparency.

There are now many Malay overseas students that refuse to come home to work in Malaysia. Just as there students of other Malaysian races that refuse to come home. This suggests that it is principles and opportunities, not race or religion that matters to them. We would certainly lose more of them in future if the business and political environment of this country does not improve.

The pillars that put the nation together are sacred and therefore must be protected and not fiddled about with. These are the Malay Rulers, the federal constitution and the laws of the land that govern racial harmony and religious tolerance, government machinery and public property.

The days when politicians could instruct enforcement personnel to ‘close one eye’ and manipulate or even ‘privatise’ the judiciary are certainly over. There have been too many things that have gone wrong in the past and Malaysians voters have been a patient lot. At the last election, they decided to let their hearts out.

Umno needs to be re-invented by adopting a new model. Only those with profound understanding of what is now required by Malaysians, particularly the emerging generations need to be given this task. The person that should undertake this monumental work need not necessarily come from Oxford or Cambridge, neither do we necessarily need to have the political wisdom of would-be octogenarians.

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