Dr. Mahathir talked about Umno Elections

UMNO ELECTIONS

1. The whole country is watching the nomination of candidates for the UMNO Supreme Council. The decision of Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to defend his Presidency of the party is what has kindled the unprecedented interest in who will head and run UMNO. This is because until now it is expected that the President of UMNO will become the next Prime Minister of Malaysia. If the UMNO electorate fails to deliver a good and honest administrator, then the country would be in for another period of instability and economic regression. No Malaysian would want to see that. In desperation they might opt for the opposition at the next election. And that would not be any better. In fact it would be worse than the incompetent present incumbent.

2. For UMNO the next four years would be crucial. If whoever becomes the new President fails to revive the party, it would be the end of the road for this longest surviving fighter for national independence. If this were to happen then the incoming leadership of UMNO will go down in history as the betrayers of this once glorious and powerful political machine.

3. UMNO had adopted the democratic system apparently to ensure that betrayers of the party would be removed and replaced by better men. But clearly UMNO democracy has not always worked. Many have reached the top through false pretences. Once there they make use of their position of power to prevent democracy from safeguarding the party. By dishing out lucrative jobs and titles, by abusing the authority conferred on them, by threats of all kinds, these pretenders have been able to stop attempts at their removal, at least for quite some time.

4. The assumption of the self-serving leaders is that if they could control the division leaders through bribes and threats, their hold on the party would be ensured. Such was their stranglehold over the party that it seems the party was solidly behind them. They could do anything and they would be assured of loud approbation and support.

5. But their assumption was wrong. The division and branch leaders may kowtow to them but the rank and file and the non-member supporters proved to be recalcitrant. Unable to speak up or to criticize the leadership they decided to vote for the opposition.

6. Thus in the March 2008 Elections the Barisan Nasional Party and UMNO suffered heavy losses. The leadership refused to accept responsibility for this debacle, even claiming victory because they have enough seats to form the central Government.

7. In disgust the disaffected electorate delivered a stunning blow in a crucial bye-election, which saw the once powerful UMNO and Barisan Nasional totally cowed, scared even to display their party colours.

8. At last a few daring members of the UMNO Supreme Council decided that it was enough. The President must be forced to resign. And so Dato Abdullah after much delay announced his decision not to contest for President of UMNO and therefore his traditional right to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

9. That is the critical first stage. Now for the new President and Prime Minister. There are only two candidates. But to date only Dato Najib Tun Razak has received nomination for the post. Clearly he is the front runner. As expected the work of demonising him has begun. How he handles this would indicate the quality of his leadership.

10. In the meantime the nominees for the other posts are being named. If the Government of Najib is to be different from that of Abdullah, then Abdullah toadies must not be in.

11. So far it is unclear as to whether the UMNO divisions will back those opposed to Abdullah or his people. The lead taken by Muhyiddin Yassin seems to indicate that the critics of Abdullah are favoured. Rafidah, reputedly the most vocal critics of Abdullah seems still to get the support of Wanita. That could end the ambition of Azalina one of Abdullah's and Khairi's most ardent supporters, if Rafidah's promise to appoint Sharizat as Wanita Chief when she resigns is honoured.

12. Shafie Afdal, one of the most strident voices urging Abdullah to step down is likely to win enough nomination for Vice President. But the divisions seen to have forgotten the role played by Rais Yatim, who as Minister who was not afraid to air his views on Abdullah mismanagement.

13. Important though the nomination by the divisions in qualifying a candidate to contest for positions in the UMNO Supreme Council; they do not have the final say. That lies with the delegates attending the AGM.

14. In 1987 when Tengku Razaleigh contested for Presidency against me, I had more than three-fourth for the divisions nomination. But I only won by 43 votes cast by the 2500 delegates from the divisions. Obviously the delegates to the AGM did not vote according to the decisions by the divisions.

15. It behoves those contesting not to be too confident they would win simply because they have received the highest number of nominations by the division. Lots of things can happen when the AGM is held in Kuala Lumpur. I will not be surprised to see a lot of money flow, and a lot of minds changed.

16. In the 1987 elections there was a break for Friday prayers during the voting. It is believed that many delegates were approached during this break and persuaded by one means or another to ignore the decisions of their divisions and to vote for someone else.

17. For this reason there should not be any interval in the voting. If necessary it should not be held on Friday. It is however important that the voting be on the first day of the assembly.

18. As I said the country is watching this UMNO Elections with bated breath. If the UMNO divisions and delegates allow their greed to overcome their better judgement then it will be the last time they would be the king-makers in Malaysia.

19. I am reminded of the greed of a kampong Malay who used to collect "buah keranji" in the forest to sell to the Thais. It was tedious work, as the trees were tall and there were plenty of ants.

20. Impatient with the difficulties he encountered, the "keranji" collector chopped down the tree. And that was the last time he made money from collecting "keranji".

21. Perhaps the English educated prefer the goose that laid the golden egg.

22. Whichever, the lesson to be learnt is the same. Sell your vote today and that will be the end of your UMNO politics.