Veteran UMNO leader, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim is confident that Umno will be able to survive in the next general election, given that the core spirit of the party is truly embraced.
Rais, who was a former UMNO Supreme Council member and former parliament member of Jelebu also said that it’s high time for the party to tackle the young Malays to ensure that the party’s struggles and objectives can be passed on. Nur Aqidah Azizi has the story.
Question: Umno has come a long way since its formation. Where do you think Umno is headed now?
The party has existed for more than half a century. It is still a party that is integrated to fight for the Malays and nothing can change it. The party has been instrumental in championing the rights of the Malays despite the trials and tribulations that the party had to go through, all these years. For so long, the party has lived up to its significance which is identifying and fighting for the rights of the Malay. With many new political parties have been formed recently, Umno remains loyal to its cause and I hope it will continue to sustain for the many more years to come.
Question : What should be done to ensure that Umno is still relevant to the Malays?
The way I see it, the party is still very much relevant to the Malays but Umno members need to be more proactive and be a step ahead. I think it is crucial for the party to attract the young Malays to join Umno, but it is impossible to do so if they (young Malays) can’t feel the connection to the party. The basic principle of Umno should be delivered to the young Malays so that they have better understanding and feel the connection to the party. At the same time, Umno’s members too must embrace the principle of the party.
Question : What are the things that should be tackled by Umno in order to attract the young Malays?
The Malay’s economy, language, religion and culture among others, should continue to be the party’s priority. If we manage to tackle this, then the new generation will be able to relate to the party. I personally think that the introduction of the Transformasi Nasional 50 (TN50) is a good move by the government, but I hope it is not just a mere townhall talk session. The TN50 should also be shared with the public in the rural area. I think Umno division and branch heads should take the effort to bring TN50 to the people there, so that the soul of the struggles, hopes and aspirations from both sides can be shared and heard. This is one of the ways that I see which can attract the young Malays to join and uphold the party’s spirit.
Question : How can Umno ensure its survival in the next general election?
I believe that the party can survive in the next general election. But Umno members need to revisit the Clause 3 of the party’s constitution, which highlights on the core spirit of the party. If what is written in the clause is truly embraced and implemented, I have full confidence that Umno will make it in the next general election.
Question : Umno is very strong in Negri Sembilan. What advice can you give to other Umno states and members to achieve similar success?
As a veteran in Umno, I have always believed the need to go down to the ground, to strengthen the ties between the rakyat and the party. The party’s machinery must be in full gear all the time, not only when there are elections around.
In Negri, specifically in Jelebu during my tenure, this was something that I had always put into practice. I believe, other states too will be able to strengthen the party’s position in their respective states, if this is given extra attention.