Why is UMNO Baru holding 28 million people at ransom?

As the days keep passing by before UMNO Baru gets into election mode, the breaking news each day gives Malaysians every reason to be worried. Hence it justifies challenging the political power brokers with soul searching questions and offer feedback in the best interest of the nation’s future.

Especially at a time when many nations are bracing for economic turmoil and potential geological challenges, UMNO Baru is bent on political survival and supremacy at all costs given its minority electoral votes. Is this right and good for Malaysia’s 28 million people?

It is crystal clear that UMNO Baru is facing a multi-pronged battle both within and outside of its yard. These can be deduced from UMNO Baru's own confessions and spilling of the beans in the process of wanting to gain battle ground.

From within is the increasing tension between the leftist and rightists. While Najib’s loyalists appear to carve promises of a ‘tranforming’ UMNO image as the way forward for Malaysia, those aligned to the Mahathir-crew are bent on kicking raging storms laced with the potent mixture of race and religion rights’ sensitivities.

From outside of UMNO Baru circles, we see the populace divided. Much as UMNO Baru would want people to believe that there is a Chinese-tsunami being created by the Opposition political bloc, we are on the contrary, witnessing growing Malay representation opposed to UMNO Baru. PAS and Keadilan is as Malay as UMNO Baru while former UMNO loyalists have also joined DAP.

National breakdown!

To make matters worse, the general perception amongst the populace is that there is growing complicity of the crucial institutions of the country – from the police to the army to the judiciary and administration. Such perceptions are gaining ground given the developments on several frontiers.

The on-going RCI on the Sabah ICs issue is increasingly by the days revealing how UMNO Baru could well end up guilty as charged of having cheated its way to power – whatever may the justifications be. And even if if does not, the credibility would have been dented beyond repair.

The growing concern over crime involving the increasing use of firearms and explosives is not being addressed but ever more politicized by both the right and left wing UMNO Baru plotters. The recent statement by one ex-leader that more crime is the price Malaysians will have to pay for demanding more freedom is a classic barometer to measure how deep the rift that is widening within UMNO Baru is.

The onslaught targeting the opposition leaders and a seeming impression that all the nation’s resources are marshaled to put pressure on UMNO Baru’s opponents at break neck speed is yet another factor that is increasingly putting UMNO Baru on the defensive.

And to make matters worse for UMNO Baru’s battle of survival, the very party organs and main stream media are no respite. Utusan in particular, for example, is increasingly making more enemies than friends amongst Malaysians of all creed and cultures.

The incidents as in the likes of the 'Alvivi Bak Kut Teh', the Dog issue, the surau meditation episode and even the 'Allah' appeals - all of these that are being peceived as UMNO Baru's bullets for battle in the up-coming UMNO Baru election are also further increasing the chasm even amongst the muslim brotherhood.

Given all of the above, it makes sense to ask: Is UMNO Baru, which is facing a very serious leadership crises and bitter party feuds, holding the nation at ransom?

MAILBAG