FOR THE MALAYS OR TO KEEP THEIR JOBS: Ibrahim Ali,other hawks press Najib not to shift to the centre

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno must embolden its defence of the Malays as the community is starting to lose hope in the party, a mega-gathering of Malay rights groups warned today ahead of the party’s general assembly next week.

In the so-called National Unity Convention, Umno politicians were also told to avoid corruption, allegedly the primary cause behind the negative perception against the party and which is keeping potential members and supporters away.

“We organise this convention today, coincidentally three or four days before the (Umno) general assembly. I say this honestly, this is also a message to the assembly. Umno’s role is in defending the Malay Muslim folks,” said Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the president of Malay rights group Perkasa, while tabling the convention’s memorandum.

'Not much time left' but for whom?

According to Ibrahim, there is “not much time left” for Umno in the current political landscape that has seen even the party’s senior leaders lose in elections.

“At the same time, let there be no parties who accuse us of trying to replace the task and function of certain political parties. We held the convention, published the memorandum and highlighted the motions because at this time some native Malay Muslim citizens feel as if they have lost somebody to depend on.

“Why this situation is happening, study for yourself the facts and the reality,” said Ibrahim, who chaired the committee preparing the convention’s memorandum.

Former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad also chided Umno leaders in his keynote speech urging them to “know themselves”.

Umno should be the dominant party for Malays and Muslims. The problem is with its leaders. The number one factor that makes people hate Umno is the high corruption perception. Umno must correct this perception, not just with words and campaigns but to avoid corruption,” Abdul Hamid said.

Dearth of leaders but who is chasing young professionals away?

Abdul Hamid also claimed that many young professionals are joining PAS instead of Umno since they find it hard to enter and win positions in the latter’s hierarchy.

“If this goes on Umno will have a dearth of leaders. This has already been felt today and must be corrected if Umno does not want to go to an early grave,” he added.

The convention today was organised by a coalition of 58 Malay NGOs, and was attended by over 300 groups, to debate and pass a National Unity Memorandum draft to be delivered to Putrajaya and the Malay rulers, among others.

Earlier today, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that the party must embrace youths if the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin hopes to restore its waning influence in the urban centres.

Najib’s deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had also warned the ruling BN anchor party yesterday that it faces possible defeat in the next general election if its push for reforms continues to lag.

The 65th Umno general assembly will run from Tuesday to Saturday, and will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre here. - Malay Mail