Muhyiddin: Umno now ready to take on its foes By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

The successful effort to “democratise” the party through its constitutional changes has given birth to a stronger Umno that is ready to oust its foes in the battle for voters said Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.

The battle cry was made during his winding-up speech at the closing of the party’s three-day special assembly that saw Umno’s quota system for the party polls removed in a bid to quash the influence of party warlords and money politics.

“I feel that a new spirit of change and transformation to strengthen the party is creeping in and embedded in the soul of Umno fighters present here today,” said Muhyiddin.

“The current mood is now very different from the sombre and depressing atmosphere caused by the trauma engulfing us right after the 12th general elections,” he added.

“People said we cannot change, as if our party is destroyed and is no longer accepted by the people. In fact when there was leadership change, there were foul voices that predicted the new president will be the last Umno prime minister.

“They have been proven wrong,” said Muhyiddin.

The constitutional amendments are part of Umno and its new president Datuk Seri Najib’s effort to regain public trust by sending a message through its internal reform measures that it will change its ways.

Umno and its allies in the Barisan Nasional were knocked hard by a resurgent opposition in what has been dubbed a “political tsunami” in Election 2008 when voters denied the ruling coalition its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The party’s leaders were also accused of elitism by its own members.

But Muhyiddin believes this has all changed.

“There is a new spirit after the Janda Baik meet,” he said in reference to the retreat held by the party recently.

“Leaders from all levels have set clear guidelines as to how the party can be pushed forward through grassroots-friendly programmes that will bring us close to the ground for a first-hand look at what the problems are,” he said.

Though his rivals may disagree, Muhyiddin said the Bagan Pinang by-election victory was a clear example of how a grassroots-friendly Umno could win not just the Malay but the non-Malay votes as well.

Umno’s candidate, former party vice-president and Negeri Sembilan Mentri Besar Tan Sri Isa Samad, a very popular figure there, was seen as the major factor behind the party’s Bagan Pinang success.

Muhyiddin was, however, quick to warn the party against complacency and urged party supporters to change their attitude if they wanted Umno to remain relevant.

“There are still old habits. We say we want to change but we never do and if we do, it’s always too slow,” he said.


comments

You only have empty vessels in UMNO and they make the most noise. Good examples are our DPM himself and not to forget the useless offspring of Tun Hussein Onn. Even retarded children make more intelligent noise then they.

Only fools like to make loud noise! Empty vessel make the most noise!!!!!