Malaysian Insider
By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 – While both the top leaders of Umno seem ready to institute reforms in the party, the reality is that the party grassroots might prove to be the biggest stumbling block to meaningful change.
Delegates at today’s debate on outgoing party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s speech offered a different interpretation of reform, promoting the idea of strengthening the party by making it fully in control of the government.
“Those days, an application for a taxi permit would require the endorsement of an Umno branch or division chief. If the branches and divisions are strong, then Umno will be strong again,” said Bukit Mertajam party chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir.
He also said the party made a mistake in trying to curtail money politics as it showed that Umno leaders are not grateful to the members who have sacrificed for the party.
“Without money, how can the delegates come to Kuala Lumpur to attend the assembly? Please look at the place they are staying, some of them are sharing a room with seven or eight people,” said Musa.
He claimed that the disciplinary board was also very selective and called for it to be dissolved.
“I agree with the proposal to amend the constitution but, before that, please dissolve the disciplinary board,” said Musa.
He also urged the party leadership to appoint divisional chiefs to government-linked companies.
“If we want to change, do it properly. Use our power while we still have it,” Musa said to loud cheers from the delegates.
Musa’s call was also echoed by a Malacca delegate, Datuk Hasnoor Husin, who also urged the government to ensure that only Umno loyalists be appointed to senior positions in public universities.
“Please make sure the faculty members are all Umno men, and the same goes for other civil servants,” said Hasnoor.
He cited the example of UiTM vice chancellor Datuk Seri Ibrahim Abu Shah who was a party loyalist.
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I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Whatever it is, we are doomed.
And they did not see fit to elect more than one woman to the Supreme Council.
Datuk Dr Norraesah Mohamed, the only woman to be elected to the Supreme Council.
But they did elect uncouth louts like Bung Mokhtar.
So if any of us dared to harbour any hope of change for women...forget it.
19 comments:
i perfectly understand how u feel, the 'guy' beat yr brother, i thot i see the back of him. :D
Salam,
Ah well... I guess the word change is a taboo to some of them.
wow,ignorance at the highest level.I thought they have improved tremendously.I predict that next year, someone will request that we need to show our UMNO membership number in order to apply for government jobs and scholarships.
Good Luck Malaysia.
Hi Marina,
"He also said the party made a mistake in trying to curtail money politics as it showed that Umno leaders are not grateful ..."
Now substitute "money politics" with "corruption".
Is it still a mistake?
"He also urged the party leadership to appoint divisional chiefs to government-linked companies. “If we want to change, do it properly. Use our power WHILE WE STILL HAVE IT!!!!!!!” Musa said to loud cheers from the delegates."
That speaks very clearly for what the new Umno stands for, with all the revelations coming out of Selangor with the BALKIS- SELF CHARITY, instead of charity for the poor- PONZI SCAM.
A massive feeding frenzy while the going is still good, "while we still have it", rid the country of all its assets, build palaces in foreign countries, while the grassroots orang kampung will still stick to their gulai ikan masin with nasi basi, while these so called leaders- champions of feeding frenzies wait with bated breath for their rewards, I betcha a lot of promises were made and the ones that will feel the pain will be none other than the pak chiks and mak chiks in the kampungs. Have some people become so Shameless with their greed, well time will tell, especially with pru 13.
Hidup politik wang!
I'm buying tons of myEG shares tomorrow when KLSE opens :-)
Datuk Norraesah Mohamed Boleh!
Umno Lagi Boleh!
Btw, Kak Marina no comment on Datuk Azeez the Putera Head?
Mari jom heboh kat Holiday Villa!
Hi Kak Marina, well-written but you are not reaching those who need to read it most by writing in English (depa yg biasa baca Kosmo/Harian Metro). Sorry for being long winded & repetitive though...
i have come to one conclusion...if u cant beat them, join them !!
lets all loot this country together !
Marina, if you start a political party, I'd be the first to join!
How can you expect this party to elect women at a higher echelon? That's why they have the Wanita wing, to segregate them. You can't expect anything from such a chauvinist organisation. Actually to be fair to UMNO, I am describing many political parties in M'sia across the political divide. Politics is still mainly a man's game and it won't change till everyone's mentality changes, including that of women, not just man for I am sure many female delegates voted for male candidates as well.
This is not to say we should vote based on the colour of our skin, gender etc but till women are better represented there is something to be said for increasing their numbers at the decision making level. Always vote for the best candidate but in a near equal contest, best to preference the minority candidate.
Not electing more than one woman to the MT is a blessing in disguise. Let’s face it - are there any dignified woman within UMNO worthy of public office or offer inspiration to women in Malaysia. They are either shopping freaks with a taste for using other people’s money, Tomboys, alcoholics and many with devious sex extremes, one only have to look at the children they bare. Let the whole lot of rotten men take the helm as the demise of BN/UMNO is inevitable. Let not the institution of the mother be misrepresented ala BALKIS.
AnakMelaka, is Azeez worth commenting on?
Buyung Adil, I tau lah tapi depa nak print atau tak apa yang I tulih, I tak pasti...
Nick...umm...I don't think so...
Parvinder, I agree. I was talking to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister (who is a woman) and she was shocked that the main UMNO party has no women in it. If UMNO really wants to change, that's one of the first things they should do, dispense with the wings. It's so last-century.
Then, Ghifari, there will be a chance for the more talented women to rise. They are there but not given a chance.
Why not ask them to put the UMNO division chairman to guard the public toilet and faraway outposts to jaga the pak guard and polis etc. It is like a police state, you have spies everywhere ( who is more interested in getting money than working actually). Nothing more than trying to fleece the government more.
Dear MM, UMNO is doomed, yes you are right. So just leave all these sweet nightmares behind and focus on our earth for a moment, shall we? Tomorrow night people around the world will join force to save as much electricity as possible for just one hour for the Earth Hour. Hope you can have a topic devoted to this :o)
What to do when you have small time businessmen and opportunists taking control at branch levels and division levels and therefore you get the kind of quality statements that you see reported here.
With this kind of crowd crowding out UMNO what fat chance is there for decent men and women within the Malay community wanting to join the party to do honourable things?
The quality of the people leading at branch and division levels speaks volumes of the nature of this beast. Do we have any hope?
Membership has it's pilferages ....
who would need a Visa?
Oh what the heck, they should go ahead and say it already. Abolish all opposition parties. Only allow one party to exist and all persons wishing to go to school, apply for jobs, or get anything done at all must show that he is a card carrying member of the ruling party. What about elections? Ok, maybe elections can be retained. Need to legitimise the mandate every now and then, you know. After all, we need to have that festive atmosphere and fun every five years or so. Hell, even North Korea hold elections.
Malu-malu pulak. Nak cakap je la.
I agree with you that UMNO is not doing enough to rebuilt reputation.
http://nmjnh.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/inikah-pemimpin-yang-umno-agungkan-malaysiakini/
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