INTERVIEW | With Umno suffering its first ever electoral defeat in the recent polls, its current leadership may not enjoy the same advantages their predecessors did, according to incoming Johor opposition leader Hasni Mohammad.
The playing field for the upcoming Umno elections, Hasni believes, has now been levelled – with the only determinant of any leader’s rise likely being his or her lack of baggage.
“This is something you have to understand. It has always been the intention of Umno to separate party leadership is separated from government leadership.
“So it doesn't matter whether we are opposition or government, especially now. That perception does not arise,” he said in an interview with Malaysiakini.
“All of us are not in government anyway, even (acting Umno deputy president) Hishammuddin Hussein or (acting Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“As far as Umno is concerned, that doesn't give Zahid an advantage over anybody to be president or even Hishammuddin to be deputy president.”
Open for all
As Hasni pointed out, another important levelling factor to consider ahead of the party polls is former president Najib Abdul Razak not naming or grooming any successor.
“In the past, it has always been the case that the feeling of seniority is important.
“Najib had to go through such a process, rising from youth chief, to vice-president and deputy president, before assuming the presidency,” he said.
“When Najib was asked to leave, he wasn't grooming Zahid to be his successor, he wasn't grooming Hishammuddin to be the deputy or to be the next Umno leader.
“So now it is open to everybody, the ground is levelled.”
“Najib did not leave saying Zahid is his successor. Zahid is acting president by virtue of the constitution. It's not that party members want it that way.”
Hasni explained that in the past, Umno presidents had earmarked their successors prior to the party election.
When then-president Dr Mahathir Mohammad stepped down, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was already designated as his successor.
And when Abdullah himself resigned after BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and five states in 2008, Najib was seen as his natural successor.
No baggage
Asked who he believes is most suitable for the post of Umno president, Hasni stated that it should be the leader with the least “issues.”
Pressed further, he said that should Zahid (left in photo) wish to lead Umno, he may not have the opportunity to explain the issues facing him – though not elaborating on what these issues may be.
“If Zahid offered himself (as president) and the members feel there are many issues surrounding him, I wonder whether he will get the opportunity to explain these or not. I don't think he will.
“Because you can't campaign as you did in the past, where you just offered yourself up and let members vote,” he explained.
“With the current mood after the recent election, Umno needs to take that as a lesson learned in lining up our leadership.
“We definitely cannot deny the decision of the people (to elect a new government) when formulating the Umno leadership lineup. It has to be factored in – election results, issues of the individual.”
As such, Hasni said, it would not be impossible for “popular candidates” Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin or Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Mohamad Hasan (photo) to become the new party president.
And given that the election is perceived as a free-for-all, he said he would offer himself up as a nominee for the Umno supreme council.
He also expressed his hope that former Johor menteri besar and state Umno chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin will contest for the vice-presidency.
“I believe that the Umno members in Johor have been giving him their full support all this while.
“And I believe he can contribute a lot to the country, going by his record as menteri besar.”
No match for Khaled
When asked for his opinion of Osman Sapian, Hasni said the new Pakatan Harapan menteri besar cannot compare to Khaled.
“I don't think Osman can be compared to the previous menteri besar. I am saying that based on track record and experience.
“I hope that he will work closely with his coalition members. Because that is the secret to bring Johor to greater heights,” he said.
“In 2004, Khaled went federal to take up a ministerial position. I don't think (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad even knows who Osman (photo) is.
“If Mahathir thinks he is a hopeless guy, it is bad for Johor. Osman had better build up Mahathir's confidence in him.
“I don't want my menteri besar to be seen in the eyes of the federal leadership as an incapable and useless individual.”
Despite being a popular figure among Johoreans and state Umno members, Khaled failed to retain his state seat of Permas and parliamentary seat of Pasir Gudang in the recently concluded election.
Without missing a beat, however, Khaled copped on to the new political landscape and announced Hasni as Johor opposition leader – the first state Umno chapter to do so. -Mkini
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