Ku Li - Umno must reform or risk being alienated

(The Star) -  The country's longest serving parliamentarian has urged Umno to quickly reform itself or face the prospect of being booted out of the Government when the next general election comes around.

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who on Sunday became the Gua Musang MP for the 11th time, said the new electorate of the young, professionals and women were clamouring for changes in how the country was being managed.

“It will therefore be logical to accept their demands and change accordingly or risk alienating oneself more,” said Tengku Razaleigh, who was a former Umno vice-president and finance minister.

The 73-year-old Kelantan prince won the Gua Musang parliamentary seat in the 13th general election despite facing stiff competition from PAS former strategistDatuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah.

Tengku Razaleigh said voters were no longer afraid of past taboos, such as racialism or being asked to be grateful for the peace and security in the country.

“The new voters want more say in how the country is governed and they also cannot tolerate poor governance and corruption.

“The country is experiencing a generational shift and this means that the electorate's expectations have also changed to suit the young and the educated,” he said.

“To turn a blind eye to such changes will be foolish.”

Tengku Razaleigh also urged those who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections to air their grievances via the proper channels of negotiations or meetings and not resort to street protests.