As Umno delegates arrived home on a high after the conclusion of the party's Annual General Assembly yesterday, they face the harsh reality of convincing the electorate in their constituencies to support the party in the coming general election.
Umno has been in existence for 65 years, and governing the country since independence for 54 years.
But now the challenge is convincing the younger voters, who could well be their sons and daughters or even spouses.
A division chief who preferred to remain anonymous, said: "My spouse is very critical of Umno and BN and its leaders."
A Wanita division chief added that her children do not support Umno and BN as they are exposed to the Internet.
"The younger generation have other sources besides the mainstream media to inform their thinking and thoughts. It is unlike before when there is only one source of information.
"When there are issues like the National Feedlot Corporation controversy, you may not find it in the mainstream media. However, on the internet, it is extensively reported in the alternative media," she said.
Another delegate said in the past, homes had only RTM and TV3, along with mainstream newspapers, to help them form their thoughts and opinions.
"But today there are computers in most homes and the internet where information is infinite. The younger people are exposed to a lot of things compared to before and hence they are becoming more critical of Umno and BN," said the delegate.
These are the harsh realities and challenges now facing Umno.
And it's not certain that the fiery speeches aired on national television and splashed on the front pages of mainstream newspapers the past couple of days, will be effective in winning over the electorate especially those of the younger generation.
Seeking safe seats
In the past Umno party members were lining up to be considered as candidates as the chances of them winning were very high.
However, this time, according to political observers, the clamour among Umno and BN candidates will be for the ‘safe' seats.
He will have to think hard on where to place BN party leaders like MCA's Chua Soi Lek (left), PPP's M Kayveas and MIC's G Palanival.
Kayveas and Palanival were casualties in the historical 2008 general election, while Chua did not stand having resigned his posts due to his involvement in a sex scandal.
Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, had already announced that he won't be contesting a state or parliamentary seat last month.
Umno and BN will be hard pressed for seats as they look within Peninsula Malaysia. However in Sabah and Sarawak, considered BN's "fixed deposits" it's less of a problem.
Alternative government
The other problem facing Umno and BN is that Pakatan had won four states namely Kelantan, Penang, Kedah and Selangor, and have shown that an alternative government is possible.
"Pakatan may lack experience and at the very least it has to make a good impression on the people. They have to show they are transparent in their dealings. This is what the people want nowadays as they are seeking an administration that is responsible, accountable and transparent," said a political observer.
"Pakatan cannot risk being involved in any hanky panky. Otherwise they may lose out the next time. In the past, the rakyat has no choice as the opposition was not a strong alternative. But now it has shown it can govern."
This is the unenviable scenario that Najib, his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin along with other BN component party leaders, have to face.
Closing ranks
Throughout the five day assembly, a common theme emerged - do not sabotage the party and its candidates.
Bandar Tun Razak delegate Syed Ali Alhabshee in debating the presidential address even asked for the party's disciplinary committee to be activated to act against members intent on sabotaging the party.
It is a given that unity is important in any political party which wants to win a major election.
The big question as the assembly came to an end yesterday is whether Umno has managed to close its ranks.
Party elections are noted to affect unity as contestants battle it out. Hence, in Umno, the party elections have been postponed for 18 months.
In the meantime, cracks are appearing in the party following the latest National Feedstock Corporation fiasco.
Sabah politician and Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Raden has called on Women and Family Development Minister Senator Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to resign following her family ties in what is now known as "Cowgate".
Another observer said Wanita unity was affected following the party elections when Shahrizat defeated Rafidah Aziz for the right to head the Umno women's wing in 2009. But time has healed the wounds somewhat. However, following the NFC fiasco, the cracks are reappearing.
"Some Wanita delegates whom I met feel that Shahrizat should make way to resolve the problem as the party heads for the general election. They are loyal to the party but are afraid to voice this out," he said.
Najib had said that the 13th General Election will be the stiffest test for Umno and BN. But when asked as to the fate of controversial delegates he responded: "let the party handle it."
Will this mean that Shahrizat will be the sacrificial lamb and likely to face the axe as Umno and BN face its crucial test? Time will tell.
1 comment:
In the 1960's and !970's, many Chinese Malaysians spoke English among themselves. In year 2011, Chinese Malaysians speak Mandarin among themselves. I would like to commend UMNO-BN government for strengthening and consolidating the Mandarin language in Malaysia. UMNO-BN should be credited for increasing Mandarin usage in Malaysia. What ever changes in the education sector that UMNO brought about is indeed on the right track because Mandarin usage has increased. Furthermore, UMNO has been visionary because she has been able to predict the rise of China in the 21st century. Increasing Mandarin usage will benefit Malaysia because China is a rising power in this world. If only UMNO continues her pro-Mandarin policy, it will augur well for Malaysia in the long run. It is time to consider making Mandarin an official and national language in Malaysia.
Yes, one nation with one system will not work in a multi-religious and multi-lingual nation like Malaysia. All the three languages, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, are different niches in Malaysia. They all contribute to Malaysia. Please ask Khairy to hold his tongue and mind his own business as regards to Chinese medium and Tamil medium schools.
At the global level, both Mandarin language and English will compete for influence. It is often a numbers game; and believe me that China with more than a billion people have an advantage in any numbers game. May be Chinese English will eventually be tolerated world-wide. (I define Chinese English as L1 interference English). Since China has a growing economy and more than 1 billion people, it would eventually be hard to avoid L1 interference English. The Chinese Malaysians should make sure that Mandarin medium schools grow in Malaysia.
By the way, the indigeneous people of Malaya are the Orang Asli, not Malays. Furthermore, another person who should hold his tongue and stop making comments is Dr.Chandra Muzzafar. Dr.Chandra Muzzafar has no influence among Malaysian Indians. If Dr.Chandra Muzzafar does make any comments, please ignore it.
The bottom line is that, no matter who says what, the future is that with every passing day both China and India are growing socially, politically, and economically. I don't care who says what; and I don't care who does what. Nothing can change the fact that with every passing day both China and India are strengthening socially, politically, and economically. That's it. The bottom line is the bottom line.
Post a Comment