Move cautiously for multiracial Umno, says veteran

Take it one step at a time, says former treasurer Azim Zabidi, warning of a risk of turning away many hardcore Malay supporters.

Azim Zabidi cautions Umno against knee-jerk moves without thinking ahead. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Multiracial politics will take a very long time, Umno veteran Azim Zabidi said today, in urging his party comrades to remain calm and avoid making knee-jerk reactions when proposing reforms for Umno.

Several proposals have been made by Umno members about opening up party membership to all, in the wake of Barisan Nasional’s defeat at last month’s general election.

Azim agreed that multiracial politics was the way of the future, but “you have to take it one step at a time and get the buy-in from as many stakeholders as there are. Right now, if you open up Umno, you’re going to marginalise a lot of the hardcore Malays.”

He said knee-jerk reactions had been a problem with many Umno leaders for a long time.

“When something happens they suddenly want to do this, or do that, without thinking about what the actions or moves will entail,” he said.

Azim, a former Umno treasurer, said: “Anyone with any semblance of intelligence will want to move away from racial politics, but we also need to know that this is going to take a very long time. It’s not going to happen in the next general election, it might not even happen in our lifetime.”

Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin had first suggested opening up Umno and his proposal has been gaining support among some others including supreme council member Nazri Aziz, who was quoted as being agreeable.

Political analyst Associate Prof Awang Azman Pawi, of Universiti Malaya, agreeing with Azim, predicted that an open Umno will lose the support of Malay voters and among the general membership as well.

“The moment Umno is declared multiracial, I expect 60% of Umno members to jump ship to PPBM and another 15%-20% to PAS.”

Umno would have gained nothing, as Pakatan Harapan supporters would not shift support to Umno merely because the party had become multiracial.

“What is important to the people is a party with leaders of integrity, free from corruption and who truly struggle for the party’s agenda and the country.” -FMT