Muhyiddin: "Time for change."

UMNO vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin didn't say it in so many words. But it's quite clear that the leadership change within Umno should take place as soon as possible considering the party is now in a 'dangerous zone,' one that it may not recover from if drastic measures are not taken.

In fact, he says the leadership change can take place at any point in time, and need not be at the annual assembly scheduled for December. Muhyiddin's open and frank views can be read in today's Mingguan Malaysia.

In a one-page interview held just before Johore Umno met Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in JB last week, Muhyiddin said: "If we don't take urgent and drastic measures, we will be swept away. I'll even go as far as saying that we may never recover our political power if we fail to act now."

I was alerted of the interview on Saturday by a couple of friends. Mingguan Malaysia is known for political interviews, making it a better read for Malay readers on a leisurely Sunday. Muhyiddin's interview is titled 'Time for Change.'

In recent weeks, Muhyiddin's name has been bandied about as a likely candidate for the party top post. This follows a seemingly innocent mention of his name by former party president and Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at a forum in PJ about two weeks ago.

I can only assume that Muhyiddin's name was highlighted after some statements he has been making which reflected a more independent view, away from the sound bytes made by other Umno leaders which echoed that of Pak Lah's feelings and opinions.

A sidebar of the interview was devoted to one question on Dr Mahathir's repeated criticisms of the present leadership. Muhyiddin's response was simple and straight-forward. He said Dr M's criticism can be painful and bitter at time, but he says so out of love for the party.

Whether you agree with him or not is another matter, but you cannot ignore his views. Maybe there's a blessing from all his criticisms, Muhyiddin said. Many Umno leaders are still hesitant to speak out, and the others who did appear to be still on a denial mode hangover.

Umno div chiefs: 'We don't want Pak Lah'

THE SMS have been coming thick and fast, as do reports on various news portals and blogs - the majority of Umno division chiefs in Kedah and Penang yesterday said they don't want Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to continue to head the party.

Today, division chiefs of Johore Umno meet Pak Lah and will make known their feelings to the Prime Minister. The Kedah and Penang chiefs gave their views loud and clear to party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Since the closed-door meeting was with Najib, the division chiefs could speak freely and candidly. And they had asked Najib, who led a small delegation which include vice presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, to convey their views to Pak Lah.

The Johore meeting may be a bit more tricky since they will face their boss directly. How would they convey their views to him, and if they do, how would the boss react?

But there's no way the Johore chiefs can avoid not mentioning their true feelings to the Prime Minister. Losing five states and not able to maintain their two-third majority are too much to stomach for Umno leaders, who now aren't able to walk with their heads held high. If you ask me, some of them deserve to be defeated because of the high and mighty disposition they choose to adopt.

The momentum for change seems to be very strong, and it moves very fast too. The groundswell that is felt on the ground is mounting and many voices are heard demanding change. I doubt if anyone in the party hierachy can stop the call for change, given the continous statements of denial from some top leaders.

The grassroot leaders have had enough, and they are now launching their own internal tsunami. Which explains why the Kedah and Penang chiefs are demanding their state liaison chief and deputy to vacate their positions. It looks like Umno members have their own version of makkal shakti!

Events in the next few days and weeks are going to be very interesting, if not potentially explosive. The Prime Minister is not without support. As the incumbent, Pak Lah has the full might of high office to defend his position.

But as we all know, politics is about perception more than truth. The voices from Kedah and Penang are now heard all across the country, and one can expect echoes resonating loud and clear.

Umno Johor & isu babi PR jadi tumpuan

ISU politik saban hari menjadi berita utama di akhbar dan televisyen arus perdana. Begitu juga di laman web dan blog, yang mengikuti setiap langkah perkembangan terutama selepas berlakunya tsunami politik sebulan lalu.

Hari ini saya terbaca laporan akhbar Singapura yang menyebut bahawa Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan 'dipujuk' untuk meletakkan jawatan. Kerja memujuk ini dibuat oleh Umno Johor, menurut laporan itu lagi.

Saya belum lagi terbaca penafian terpeinci dari pemimpin Umno Johor. Mungkin ia akan menyusul selepas pertemuan Pak Lah dengan pemimpin Johor besok (Jumaat). Nampaknya, tumpuan politik Umno berpindah sekejap ke Johor, apatah lagi dengan kunjungan Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang dijadualkan berucap di Muar Ahad ini.

Rata-rata politik menjadi buah mulut. Beberapa usahawan yang saya temui khuatir kerana terlalu banyak masa dihabis kepada politik dan mereka tertanya apakah ini tidak akan menjejaskan pentadbiran, terutama dari segi kerja-kerja pengisian masyarakat selepas pilihanraya.

Umpamanya, Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu hanya baru tertubuh dengan penuhnya selepas ahli EXCO mengangkat sumpah semalam. Banyak masa terbuang dengan politik, kata mereka. Mereka berpendapat politik akan terus menguasai agenda negara setidak-tidaknya hngga akhir tahun apabila Umno mengadakan perhimpunannya.

Tetapi di Selangor lain pula. Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat sedang berhadapan dengan isu keputusannya untuk meluluskan projek ternakan babi berjumlah RM100 juta. Sudah pasti perkara ini memaksa Pas sebagai komponen Pakatan Rakyat bergelut dengan rakan kongsinya. Apapun, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim bertegas untuk meneruskan projek itu.

Kesediaan Pas untuk menerima projek itu walaupun ia tidak bersetuju dengannya sebelum pilihanraya membuktikan bahawa parti komponen PR benar-benar sedang berusaha mencari titik pertemuan dalam barisan mereka yang setahun jagung itu.

Kita boleh membuat andaian bahawa isu sensiviti tidak langsung menjadi faktor dalam keputusan projek ini. Kerajaan PR melihat ini sebagai pelaburan besar yang menjamin pulangan besar. Soalnya, apakah PR sanggup mengenepikan perasaan pengundi Islam semata-mata mahu mengejar laba? Tidakkah PR khuatir bahawa mereka akan kehilangan pengundi Islam di masa depan?

Disebaliknya, apakah PR akan kehilangan pengundi bukan Islam pula di masa akan datang? Ini adalah satu-satunya cabaran awal kerajaan PR Selangor. Mungkin ada baiknya jika Kerajaan Selangor mengkaji semula projek itu, terutama dari segi saiz dan jumlah pelaburan. Mungkin kerajaan Selangor berhasrat mengekspot babi ke negeri lain, atau ke luar negara.

Usaha menternak babi dengan kaedah baru menggunaklan teknoloji moden memang ada. Antara lain, teknoloji ini boleh menyekat pencemaran alam dan menjamin ternakan yang lebih teratur.

Soalannya - apakah kerajaan Selangor benar-benar memerlukan projek sebesar ini? Mengapa tidak buat yang kecil mencukupi untuk keperluan Selangor sahaja? Kita tidak mahu melihat kerajaan Selangor mengutama keuntungan sambil membelakangkan sensiviti pengundi dan rakyat.

When Prime Ministers lock horns...

WHEN Prime Ministers trade barbs, even if one is no longer in office, the bruises are there for all to see. The on-going argument between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad goes to another level after last Sunday's war of words.

Both of them had separate speaking engagements - Pak Lah at PWTC and Dr Mahathir at a hotel in Ampang. Pak Lah's do was organised by the Information Bureau of Umno and Dr Mahathir's was by an Umno branch.

The mainstream newspapers and tv networks showed the PM taking Dr Mahathir to task for various faults during his 22 years in office. Dr Mahathir, on the other side of town, continued his call for Pak Lah to step down and take responsibility for his action.

Dr Mahathir has been at Pak Lah since the latter lost five states and the two-third majority in the Dewan Rakyat following the March 8 general election. Dr Mahathir has expressed unhappiness over the erosion in credibility and control of Umno and the Barisan National in national politics, just four years after the resounding victory in 2004.

Pak Lah, hitting back at Dr Mahathir, insisted that now is not the time to speak about quitting from his job. Now is the time to close ranks and make every effort to consolidate the party and restore members' confidence. Pak Lah attributed the loss to 'saboteurs' who betrayed the party by various means.

In the midst of all this, a small town Umno Branch Chief called me and lamented that his members are clueless as to what is happening to the party whom he had supported since childhood. He said there are many others like him at the grassroot level who's confused, angry and disappointed after the poll.

His contention is simple. With all the allegations and counter allegation, someone has to be right. He is of the opinion that Umno's future will not be any brighter if party leaders ignore the plea from the grassroot that wrong strategies were the main reason for what he described as the most humiliating defeat in the party history.

Coming from a state now under the rule of Pakatan Rakyat, the branch chief has not been able to walk tall in his town after the election. His members are not regrouping, prefering instead to go their separate ways to lick their wounds.

He refused to pin the losses on Pak Lah alone, echoing the party president's statement that he can't be made to be solely responsible. The past is the past, he said, arguing that some serious and drastic solutions are needed to ensure Umno's continued relevance. Let's have some fresh ideas, and fresh leaders too.

He follows closely developments within the party, more from direct discussions with fellow grassroot leaders rather than from the mainstream newspapers. Some reports in some newspapers linked to Umno and the BN contributed to the losses, he said, asking whether would the mass media be also guilty of sabotage.

I wouldn't give too much attention to a branch chief but he was so passionate in his articulation. He said the people has spoken. He now wants his voice as an Umno member he heard, to be allowed to make a choice as to who he feels should lead the party and restore its credibility, respect and confidence.

He is sure that Pak Lah have his own band of supporters and followers, as do Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and all the top names in the party. Rather than skirting round the bush, my friend said point blank:

"Let the members decide once and for all who should lead the party. Let there be free contests so that everyone has a say in whom they want. All this talk about quotas and call for stepping down and finger pointing are just academic. Pak Lak have his own merits, as do Ku Li and whoever else who want to join the fray.

"Let us show our BN component members and the Pakatan Rakyat that Umno is serious in wanting to reinvent itself via its own reforms."

Pemilihan Umno - calon mula atur langkah

APABILA Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein membuat keputusan untuk melepaskan jawatan Ketua Pemuda Umno, soalan spontan yang datang ialah - dia nak bertanding jawatan Naib Presiden ka?

Soalan lain yang timbul ialah - siapa jadi pengganti beliau di Pemuda? Dan bolehkah Hishammuddin mengisi satu dari tiga kerusi naib presiden yang ditawarkan?

Pengumuman Hishammuddin minggu ini bukan sesuatu yang mengejutkan. Malah, di kalangan ahli Umno dan pemerhati politik, pengumuman itu memang sudah diduga. Beliau tidak pula menamakan siapa yang harus menjadi pengganti, dan ini meningkatkan spekulasi bahawa ramai dikalangan jawatankuasa pemuda yang mungkin mahu mencuba nasib.

Dua nama yang sudah menyuarakan minat untuk merebut jawatan itu ialah bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo, yang juga ahli majlis tertinggi Umno. Ahli Parlimen Jerlus, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, yang mendapat undi tertinggi semasa pemilihan AJK Pemuda di pemilihan lepas, juga mengumumkan minat untuk bertanding.

Naib Pemuda, Ahli Parlimen Rembau Khairy Jamaludin yang juga menantu kepada Perdana Menteri dan presiden Umno, belum lagi membuat keputusan samada akan bertanding atau tidak. Menurut berita yang tersiar dalam akhbar, Khairy akan membuat keputusan selepas menemui penyokongnya dan ahli akar umbi Umno.

Mukhriz, anak mantan Perdana Menteri dan presiden Umno, dan Dr Khir, adalah antara dua pemimpin yang mencetuskan kontroversi dalam tempoh satu tahun yang lampau. Mukhriz, selepas menang kerusi Jerlun, menulis surat kepada Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi supaya berundur dari jawatannya akibat prestasi buruk Umno dan BN pada pilihanraya umum ke 12 8 Mac lalu.

Dr Khir pula hilang negeri dan kemudian melepaskan jawatan ketua perhubungan Umno negeri Selangor atas alasan bahawa beliau bertanggungjawab atas kekalahan Umno dan BN di negeri itu. Nasib orang politik begitulah - ada naik, ada turun, ada puji, ada keji.

Mereka yang marah dengan Dr Khir kerana memberi penyapu kepada seorang kakitangan kanan negeri itu kerana penurunan prestasi, berkata: "Dulu Dr Khir beri hadiah penyapu kepada setahnya. Tetapi, rupa-rupanya dia yang kena sapu."

Saya percaya ada beberapa nama lain yang akan timbul sebelum pemilihan Pemuda akhir tahun ini. Dan adalah tidak mustahil juga salah seorang dari dua nama yang tertera setakat ini mengundur diri dan membeli laluan kepada rakannya. Yang pasti, akan bermulalah kempen dikalangan calon. Soalnya, setakat mana kempen ini akan berjalan dengan jujur tanpa menjejaskan imej parti?

Begitu juga perebutan untuk kerusi naib presiden. Buat masa ini, jawatan itu dipenuhi oleh Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Ketua Menteri Melaka. Tidak atau belum ada tanda kedua mereka akan melepaskan jawatan ini.

Malah, ada ahli Umno dan pemerhati politik yang tertanya-tanya apakah yang dimaksudkan oleh Dr Mahathir apabila menyebut nama Muhyiddin sebagai salah seorang yang layak memimpin Umno. Dalam percaturan politik, perkara sebegini mungkin ada muslihatnya tersendiri.

Apapun, selepas pilihanraya umum, kegiatan politik akan masih menjadi tumpuan utama setidak-tidaknya hingga akhir tahun ini. Besok (Ahad) Pak Lah akan berucap kepada ahli Umno di PWTC, dan sama-samalah kita tunggui intipati ucapannya.

Jika tak silap saya, Dr Mahathir juga akan mengadalan perjumpaan dengan ahli Umno bahagian Cheras dalam satu pertemuan pagi. Dan semalam, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, mengadakan mesyuarat di bahagiannya di Gua Musang dan beliau juga berucap tentang halatuju Umno dan masalah yang melanda parti itu sekarang.

Tahun ini ialah tahun penting bagi Umno. Sejauh mana ia boleh mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai tonggak dalam BN bergantung kepada sejauh mana parti Melayu itu berjaya menghasilkan muafakat yang televan, telus dan padu.

Jika dahulu ahli Umno tidak boleh memandang Pas atau PKR dengan sebelah mata sekalipun, hari ini keadaan sudah berubah. Dalam pilihanraya yang baru tamat, sudah ada ahli Umno yang mengundi parti lawan atas pelbagai sebab - protes, kecil hati, kurang yakin dengan kepimpinan, dimungkiri janji, hilang setiakawan dan entah apa lagi.

Apakah pemilihan parti akhir tahun ini dapat mengubat hati luka mereka? Tunggu dan lihat.

Suddenly, blogging is important, necessary

WHEN new Information Minister Datuk Shabery Cheek started engaging bloggers, and thus debunking his predecessor's negative perception of the cyber-journalists, little did we know that this was the cue Umno politicians was waiting for.

After former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo started hs blog towards last March, another colleague of his started one. This is the Malacca Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. The two must have gotten over their fear of being described liars, goblogs and monkeys by their Umno brethren.

It's early days yet, but Dr Khir's blog appears to have received tremendous response since he started. "It's impossible to respond to every query. But I read every single comment submitted."

The two joined several Opposition bloggers who have been writing much earlier. They include MPs Jeff Ooi, Wee Choo Kewong, Husam Musa, Elizabeth Wong, Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang.

These people did not blog just for the fun of it - they blog because they want to engage their voters, and blogging give the voters direct access to their wakil rakyat. Four or five years down the road, these MP-bloggers would be in a better position to try and convince voters to vote for them.

While Dr Mohd Khir's blog seems to be flourishing with comments from readers, Ali Rustam's three postings have yet to receive a single comment from readers. This could be because the blog is more of a mirror of the CM's political statements and press releases.

Someone must tell him that he needs to do better than that to nurture a following. It's not a lie Datuk, it's the truth, believe me!

Umno bosses bury their head in the sand

SADLY, many UMNO top brass prefer to discuss party problems only within the confines of the party headquarters at PWTC. When an Umno-linked news portal, KMU.Net, organised a one-day forum discussing the March 8 general election, many top leaders chose to stay away and watch from a distance.

Some sent their representatives over, and they would later brief their bosses what transpired. Only former Selangor Menteri Besar and fellow blogger, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, came as a panelist in the open forum. As expected, Dr Khir was asked numerous questions and often his responses were drowned by the jeering from the crowd.

It's a credit to Dr Khir for turning up. And this was after his Liaison Chief, new Minister Tan Sri Muhamad Haji Muhamad Taib, had advised him from attending. This is something many just couldn't understand. A Ketua Cawangan called me to ask if the so-called advice was true.

When told that it was, the veteran grassroot combatant said: "When will these people learn! They are still in a state of denial. They'd rather behave like an ostrich and bury their head in the sand. With this kind of attitude, forget about wanting to regain the state!"

A committee member of a division in Kuala Lumpur abided by the advice and stayed away. Later in the evening, she asked when she could get a copy of the VCD of the forum proceedings! There are many like her who are eagerly waiting for the VCD, and it's only a matter of time before they turn their backs on their leaders and continue their struggle elsewhere.

If these leaders had attended the forum, they would have seen the anger the ordinary members feel about the outcome of the election. This sense of anger and deep disappointment is not likely going to go away, and it's possible that it'll resurface at the year end general assembly. In fact, I won't be surprised if the anger will manifest itself at the branch and divisional meetings soon to take place.

Such meetings were generally routine affairs in the past, though there were instances of fisticuffs in isolated areas before. I don't think this year's meeting will be a tame affair. Let's wait and see.

It would also be interesting to see what could happen when the Gua Musang division headed by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah hold its EGM this Friday. Ku Li, who is trying to get enough support to call for a national EGM to amend the rule in the constitution governing contest for top posts, has invited other divisional heads to his big do.

I haven't heard it yet, but I expect similar advice from party headquarters to discourage other divisional heads from attending. This is one attempt of alienating Ku Li from the Umno masses. We'll know if it works in the next day or two.

While Umno leaders huddled in private meetings in their homes or offices, top leaders of the Gerakan, MCA and MIC had already initiated their own analysis of the election. Each of them are trying to determine their relevance on the national political landscape - not an easy task I can tell you!

On the day Umno top brass bury their head in the sand, the DAP, PKR and Pas sat down to announce the formation of Pakatan Rakyat, an alliance which they hope could be the foundation of an enduring pact among themselves. As of now, Pakatan Rakyat is on trial in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Federal Territory.