Ulama council of no help to ‘out of touch’ Umno, says academic

 

Party veteran Dusuki Ahmad (left) was appointed the chairman of Umno’s ulama council, the setting up of which Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants expedited. (Zahid Hamidi Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s council of ulama (religious scholars) will have little impact if the party does not reform and relate to the current crop of voters, says an academic.

Syed Arabi Idid of International Islamic University Malaysia said Umno has a problem adapting to the times and does not seem to know what voters want of the party.

He acknowledged that the ulama council has the potential to bring about changes and contribute significantly.

“But so long as the root issues such as image, money politics and patronage are not resolved at the top leadership level, then the council will not have a great impact,” he told FMT.

He was commenting on the formation of the council, mooted 12 years ago, headed by Umno veteran Dusuki Ahmad.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had called for the establishment of the council to be expedited.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said the council’s formation is in response to the Perikatan Nasional-PAS “green wave” seen in the November general election.

“However, it’s too late to save Umno’s image from allegations of being a corrupt party. If the party wants to use the council to boost its Islamic credentials, its terms and conditions must be clear,” he said.

Fauzi also questioned if the council would be independent of all party executives. “If party leaders are found guilty of corruption, can the council ‘disown’ them if they are the ones responsible for its establishment and the appointment of its members?”

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya pointed out that the council’s formation was to forge closer ties with the Malay community in the lead-up to the six state elections due in the coming months.

This is in the wake of Umno’s rout in the November polls, winning only 26 seats.

According to PAS, PN secured 54% of the Malay votes compared to Barisan Nasional’s 33%.

“This is an early step for Umno to strengthen and repair its image from an Islamic standpoint. It is also for the council to prop up the party,” Awang Azman said. - FMT