Dr M: Discard 'western' ideas, learn Malay politics

Youths joining Umno should be given courses in Malay politics and the party's struggle because they may have absorbed western liberal ideas from abroad, said the party's former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said he had spoken to Malaysian youths and found their political knowledge to be lacking, and spoke of ‘western values' such as equality, human rights, and the western concept of justice, especially those who had been to western countries.

He lamented that they said this without regard for Malaysia's situation, such as imbalance of the position of various races.

"If they join Umno, there is a big possibility that Umno would no longer be a party that fights for race, religion and country, but will be a Western-style liberal party.

"Therefore if we are to accept them, they need to be told of the true position of Malays," he said.

He said this in an article published inUtusan Malaysia today, arguing that Umno needs to be rejuvenated with new faces, including youths.

He said there are many youths interested in joining the party's youth wing, but expressed concern about their political views.

Mahathir added that Umno needs new faces in its leadership to help convince people that the party has changed and shed its image that it is corrupt.

"Only if Umno's leadership is handed to the young and the untainted would Umno's cleansing becomes a reality, and be accepted by society.

"I hear wishes to retain all supreme council members. If this is done, it would be difficult for people to believe that Umno wants to cleanse itself and change its image. They would continue to be disgusted by Umno," he said.

However, he also stood by his position that the party's top two posts should not be challenged, although all other supreme council positions should be contested.