BN must be rid of 4 ailments, says Johari

 

Johari Ghani, speaking at the federal territories BN convention, said it was crucial that the party improve itself to ensure its political survival. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Barisan Nasional must be cured of four “sicknesses” if it seeks to return to political dominance after the next general election, says Johari Ghani, the federal territories BN chief.

The ailments are delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance, he said at the federal territories BN convention today. Failure to get rid of these ills could result in the coalition’s electoral fortunes diminishing even further, he said.

Johari said some leaders and members of BN component parties assumed that the coalition’s past contributions were enough to convince Malaysians to back them.

This was delusional, said Johari, who is an Umno vice-president.

“I’m sorry to say this, but I am guilty of this too,” he said, according to Berita Harian.

“Our voters now are different and may not understand BN’s past struggle. If we remain deluded into thinking voters will back BN because of its contributions, then we are in trouble.”

At the same time, BN must not succumb to amnesia by forgetting its roots and core struggles, namely to develop Malaysia and bring progress for the rakyat.

“We must focus on BN’s core struggle rather than on what we can get (from being in politics),” said Johari, a two-term MP for Titiwangsa.

Johari, who is also plantation and commodities minister, said the ailment of inertia had resulted in BN being comfortable with existing practices and unable to carry out reforms in the coalition.

He added that the failure to reform was the key reason for BN’s fall from power in the 2018 elections.

“It was business as usual for us (when it should not have been), but we were unaware. Even I was unaware, and that is why I lost despite my opponent (Rina Harun) being a relatively unknown person,” he said.

BN’s ailment of arrogance was shown in the failure of many coalition leaders and members to accept differing opinions and corrections.

“We are unwilling to admit our mistakes and compromise (with others),” he said.

With all these weaknesses in mind, Johari said it is crucial that BN work on improving itself and get rid of its ailments to ensure political survival.

He expressed confidence that BN would return to power, through unity and teamwork. - FMT