Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia:
WILL IT BE A REBRANDED AND REJUVENATED UMNO?
UMNO or the United Malay National Organization which is the dominant partner in the ruling National Front Coalition of Malaysia, is now in a hurry. Why not?
There are real signs from the grass-root that several changes which it had constituted was favorable to the populace at large. The clearest signal was the result of the recently concluded N.31 Bagan Pinang by-election. In that election, Isa Samad, the National Front’s candidate routed his opponent from the Opposition Islamic party with a whopping five thousand plus majority votes.
This week thousands of UMNO delegates from all over the country attended its triennial general conference. This conference has its focus on the amendment of the party’s constitution. Of utmost importance is the clause which calls for a quota needed to accept nomination for certain post in the party. Members of UMNO from across the board have blamed this regulation for the widespread practice of the so-called ‘money politics’. In other words it is the cause of corruption in the party.
Such practices were one of the reasons why voters abandoned the party during the 12th General Election in 2008. This time it will be scrapped. In its place the members wanted the imposition of lengthy services to the party as a condition of offering oneself for higher positions in the party.
Apart from that there are calls for a more open attitude when processing entries of new members. This is to open up the party to more educated and innovative young voters. Previously, there have been cases whereby learned young voters are denied entry into the party.
Despite the carnival-like atmosphere at the Putra World Trade Center, serious debates are indeed taking place. However, the jury is still out there. Only a clean sheet at the next General Election will provide the answer.