Umno suffered major blows with the departure of several prominent leaders like Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. Speaking to NSTP ahead of the general assembly this weekend, party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan explains how it will move forward and rise from the ashes
Question: How was Umno’s transition since the party polls a few months back?
Answer:There are a lot of things we need to do. First, we need to accept reality that Umno is no longer the ruling party.
We lost the election and have to focus on rebranding and rejuvenation. There are a lot of steps that we need to take, including changing our policies.
Political parties last because of their ideologies, while those without any will perish.
Umno’s ideology is to fight and uphold Malay rights, but is this sole ideology still relevant?
The answer is no.
Q: What do you mean by Umno’s sole ideology is no longer relevant have to take into account the multiculturalism in our country.
There needs to be a new picture for Umno, where we are still the guardians of Malay rights, Islam and the royal institution. But we also need to be defenders of the multicultural and multiracial society in Malaysia today.
The message that we want to relay must be clear to all Malaysians. We can no longer stand with one race. Gone are the days when we could chant Hidup Melayu without reason.
It is not palatable any more, especially among the young ones because they cannot comprehend and did not go through Umno’s struggle back then.
Q: Can you elaborate on diversifying Umno’s ideology?
A: Any person who wants to join Umno must fully embrace and understand its struggle.
If they only join the party because they are fans of Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, it becomes difficult because when the leader leaves, there will be an exodus of party members.
This cannot happen. There must be training sessions so they understand what it means to be an Umno member who loves the struggle and comprehends our fight. Hopefully, come what may, leaders come and leaders go, but the fight remains.
Q: What type of training do you have in mind?
A: We need to have some sort of political “schooling” (training among members). It is to share knowledge at a centre with a curriculum, which is suitable for new and young members.
For example, those from the civil service, such as policemen who return to their villages and join Umno, they will lead branches and be part of the struggle under division leaders.
However, they need to understand what it means to be the chief and what the struggle is about. This is to avoid them from simply making up their own rules.
They need to know how to attract the younger generation to join the party.
Q: What do you think about the recent training programme held by the party?
A: The programme is actually a wake-up call for our members to accept the fact that we are no longer the government.
They need to change their mindset and strategy to work.
To be an effective opposition, you cannot simply say things that are not supported with data and evidence.
We need (to debate and raise issues) based on facts. We agreed that a research department be created to check and study current issues to help the party and members of parliament.
Those are some of the resolutions we agreed upon.
Q: What is the latest on plans to rejuvenate and rebrand?
A: I agree with many that Umno needs to go through these processes because we have an old brand that needs to be polished. If we don’t polish, it will start to rust and its price will drop.
During a recent retreat, I presented the party’s direction, which is divided into two core segments.
First is to strengthen and empower Umno, and second is to analyse how we can win the 15th General Election (GE15).
These two core committees will be on two different platforms and cannot be composed of the same people because their operations are different.
The strategies for the two core committees will be different.
Q: What are the two core committees all about?
A: First, for the empowerment and strengthening of Umno, I have set a target for 2030. We call it “Umno 2030” and is about strengthening the party.
Meanwhile, there will also be a team to study, plan and strategise towards winning GE15.
Q: What is your view on the criticism of Umno’s slow transition?
A: Give us a break, even Pakatan Harapan’s 100-day promises could not convince the people. What is important is that Umno does not carry the burden of the ruling party any more. Previously, the people kept pointing fingers at us whenever they were angry or upset. They blamed Umno but now, that is no longer the issue.
Q: What do you have to say about Pakatan Harapan blaming Barisan Nasional for its delay in developing the country?
A: > If you don’t want to deal with the corrupt, then don’t be the government. Give us back (our role) and we will manage it. By all means… you are the ones who wanted to manage the country.
This is part and parcel of the professional hazard. You have to take it because you simply cannot get the best of both worlds.
This was what we faced the last time. People were criticising us and kept wanting us to do more.
You (PH) are not starting from zero. This is 60 years after independence. If they had taken it from the British, it would probably be worse. I advise them to stop the blame game and start managing the country.
Q: How is Umno’s relationship with MCA and MIC?
A: We’re still together, still wearing our rings. We are no longer the government, so each of us must strengthen our own party.
It’s like a house. If the pillars are strong, then the house will be strong too. Previously, when we were in the government, Umno was very strong. We could carry the weight of everyone.
But we are not the same any more because we are no longer the government. We are in the process of empowering the coalition and each component party must empower itself.
Q: What is the party status as informed by the Registry of Societies (RoS)?
A: We have conducted branch and division meetings, and once we are done with the general assembly, we will submit our annual return forms to RoS.
I suppose only then they will communicate. But for now, there should not be any issues.
Q: Any plans for BN or Umno in the Sarawak election?
A: Our agenda has yet to reach this topic, but I think there is no need to have Umno in Sarawak. As long as we have our friends there, we should not marginalise them. We should strengthen our friends instead.
Q: Najib has been considered a liability by certain quarters. What do you think?
A: That is their view, but to me, that is very wrong. It is not right to say Najib is a liability. He has given a lot in the past. Maybe it is unsuitable for him to participate in the recent by-elections.
Maybe he should conduct talks on what happened, and do it nationwide because this is the best time. Let Najib face the court proceedings and if people want him to explain the truth, then let it be because not many know what really happened.
Even for me, I don’t know about 1Malaysia Development Bhd. Let him explain so long as it is not subjudice.
Q: How does Umno or BN envision cooperating with Pas?
A: The formula can be discussed further because there is no rush as to how we may establish a mixed government. Anyone can join us.
I don’t expect them to join Umno, but if they work with us like a collaboration, it is much welcomed. A kind (of collaboration) that can become one and join the government.
It’s like Pakatan Harapan, they are doing the same thing where Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, and is working with DAP and the other parties.
Q: What is the status of Umno’s assets?
A: There is no such thing as the seizure of for Umno’s assets. Only our accounts have been frozen. Our lawyers are trying to get the receipts to prove the transactions. as we speak.
Q: How is the relationship between the winners and losersleadership and those who lost in the party election?
A: There are no problems. Those who lost were offered to be council members, such as Gua Musang member of parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. He agreed to accept the position of party adviser. to the party.