NAJIB ADMITS UMNO LACKS IQ: Leaders must be 'intellectual' to win urban votes

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno leaders at all levels need to have a 2K political approach to win back support from the urban community.

Party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the 2K (knowledge and kemahiran or skills) formula was vital as the urban community was generally highly educated and knowledgeable in various issues.

"In the big towns where people are more educated, our party leaders too need to have more skills and knowledge to be able to influence the urbanites.

"I don't want to belittle anyone, but if our branch head is a gardener, will he be recognised as a leader in the area?

"The answer is clear; in a certain context, we need him, but in the context of influence of the educated, we should put someone who is more intellectual as a leader," he said when opening the Federal Territories Umno convention at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Y- politics

The prime minister also stressed on 'Y politics' which meant opening up more space for the young generation to be involved in Umno.

Najib also agreed with the five agenda shifts outlined by FT Umno at the convention in strengthening the party's struggle while winning back the hearts of the urban residents.

However, he said, the new strategy framework should be realised after the convention to reflect on the willingness of FT Umno to change at all levels.

Najib called on all Umno members to do some soul-searching and think of the causes for the party's declining support and influence, especially among the urbanites.

He said Umno still had not succeeded in recapturing the hearts of urban residents as most of the party members were only focusing on internal party matters to the extent of failing to be fair and just towards the people in general.

"We must be fair and inclusive and we must love Umno. This is basic. We must not see Umno as a tool for ourselves or as a jumping board but as an institution that ensures the future of the Malays and country," he added.

Earlier, FT Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the five agenda shifts were strengthening Islam, bolstering Barisan Nasional, producing fresh ideas, raising the urban economy and being more sensitive to the problems of the people. - Bernama