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By Haji Mustapha Ong
Tun Dr Mahathir’s leadership in UMNO during his reign of more than 22 years at the helm of the party, until his resignation in October 2003, has had a tremendous impact on the way the party was managed under his direction.
Dr Mahathir’s contribution to the party, which was reborn in1988 after the old UMNO was de-registered, could not be ignored as it had been imbedded in the political development of the party. UMNO has grown from the early years of its rebirth until what it is today with a total membership of more than 3.2 million members. Will Mahathir’s resignation from UMNO affect the party and the beginning of power struggle for a new leadership?
Today, the nation especially UMNO members were still in shock to learn that Dr Mahathir resigned from the party which had wielded his political power to rule this country for more than 22 years. It is not easy for the some of our veteran UMNO leaders and grass root members to accept the fact that Dr Mahathir is no longer together with them in UMNO. It is sad to note that some of the younger divisional leaders, who are no now elected to parliament as a result of their money influence and dirty tactics, felt their right to criticize and despise Tun Mahathir openly in public for their own political agenda. These ungrateful politicians like Mohamed Nazri and a few others prefer to lick Pak Lah’s hand as a token of their strong support for his leadership in order to enjoy the perks of an UMNO elected MP.
Senior veteran UMNO leaders like Tun Musa Hitam seem to equate Dr Mahathir’s departure from UMNO as getting rid of “the torn in the flesh of UMNO” and implied that UMNO will be in good hands without any interference from Dr Mahathir. Others, including Rafidah Aziz felt that Dr Mahathir should have remained in UMNO and fight for his cause and help to cure the party. Both Tun Musa and Rafidah were wrong in their political perception, as UMNO does not provide a forum to listen to the grouses, problems and suggestions from members who are out of the inner power base and political influence, which is only a privilege of a few selected UMNO leaders in benefit. Where is the spirit of democracy and political freedom of speech in UMNO today?
Looking back into the scenario of the last few years after Dr Mahathir’s exit from the government from October 2003, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the incumbent prime minister and UMNO president made some serious blunders in not recognizing Dr Mahathir’s contributions to UMNO and the government during his more 22 years of power and reign. Dr Mahathir was left in the cold and there was no initiative to invite Dr Mahathir either to offer him the position of a Senior Minister or Ministerial Advisor to the government or a Political Advisor to UMNO.
On the contrary, efforts were in placed to check Dr Mahathir’s influence at all levels of the administration, including his UMNO position in Kubang Palsu. Dr Mahathir’s desire to be elected as an UMNO delegate to the UMNO AGM two years ago was also not successful due to political manipulation and money politics. It was designed to keep Dr Mahathir out of the political main stream and reduce his influence in national politics.
Dr Mahathir became besieged with the way things are being managed in UMNO as well as some of the outstanding issues that he had hope will be considered and implemented in the 8th Malaysian Plan, or at least be consulted on those projects which he had envisaged for development during his last few years in office. Regrettably all these were ignored by Pak Lah’s style of administration which had brought about open criticism and confrontation between Tun Mahathir and Pak Lah.
Whatever the reasons for the open confrontation over government policies including some questionable dealings, a number of questions and answers were not made public. Some of the issues were raised but eventually swept under the carpet. Today, the nation is besieged with the infamous “Lingam video tapes” which is now under the spectrum of the Commission. It will be viewed as “the tip of the iceberg” on some of the judiciary decisions that may have to be revisited.
Having said that, I do not think that Dr Mahathir’s resignation from UMNO will have an effect on UMNO, unless the UMNO Supreme Council is serious and willing to debate and look beyond the normal reasons, which had prompted Dr Mahathir to leave UMNO, when both UMNO/BN are now facing serious power struggle and political leadership degeneration. Although, Mokhzani has announced his resignation from UMNO together with Dr Mahathir and Tun Siti Hasmah, it is the right way forward for Mukhriz to remain in UMNO and fight for his right and political principle. Mukhriz who is contemplating to go for the top UMNO youth post if nominated in December 2008, is set to revamp UMNO, with fresh blood and new leadership at divisional and federal level within the UMNO youth pressure group. UMNO youth and elected MKT members should get rid of complacency and “yes man and bisu syndrome”. Nobody should question Mukhriz’s position in UMNO and his elected position as Jerlun MP in parliament. I believe Mukhriz will not live under the political shadow of his outspoken father, who despite his frustrations still loves UMNO like all of us. Now that Tun Dr Mahathir is outside UMNO, it doesn’t mean that he has betrayed the party which he had helped to revive in 1988. Dr Mahathir is not a political traitor and it is his right to say that “he will only rejoin UMNO under a new leadership”.
Whoever is the next UMNO President after December 2008 will depend on the wisdom of the UMNO delegates to the coming AGM. UMNO should go on a political crusade and get rid of all those divisional leaders, who only work for their self interest and personal enrichment, status and glory. MKT members should be elected from divisional leaders, representative from all states rather than automatically elected based on their ministerial positions or state government positions. Is UMNO prepare to embark on radical changes for a new political order, and also to reflect a certain level of political freedom of speech, transparency and more democratic?
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