‘Accusations’ killed Umno, says Ku Li

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 20 Oct 2018 6:18PM · 9 Comments

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says it's time for party members to look inwards and fix the many problems within Umno if the party wants to stay relevant. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 20, 2018.

UMNO was “killed” in the 14th general election because it could not defend itself from various accusations, said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

The Umno veteran said many party leaders did not expect to be trounced so badly in the May 9 polls.

“Some even suggested that we will come back with a two-thirds majority.

“I had said that Umno would likely return in a hung situation and it’s not possible for us to have even a simple majority,” he said after launching the book The End of Umno? Post GE14 Edition in Kuala Lumpur today.

Barisan Nasional lost to Pakatan Harapan in the May vote.

Ku Li said there had been a lot of defections from Umno involving younger voters.

“Young people are leaving the party at a higher rate.

“The data shows that the warning signs were there since 2014.

“They come to the urban areas from rural areas to work.

“But they did not forget their base. They still maintain their registration as voters in the rural areas.

“The last three elections they went back in droves to vote for the parties they favour  because they don’t like the elitism and arrogance and lack of democracy in Umno.”

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is facing charges of abuse of power, corruption and criminal breach of trust. Tengku Razaleigh says Umno members are tired of money politics and want real change in the party. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 20, 2018.

Ku Li said in order for Umno to come back there should be no money politics.

“We should reform the party and bring in young people to democratise it. Groom the young to take the leadership of the party forward.”

Ku Li also said that he had been discouraged from coming to launch the book.

“Some called me and tried to discourage me from participating in the launch, saying that I can’t preside over such a launch on the death of Umno.

“I been in Umno for so many years and the author is a good friend,” he said. – October 20, 2018.

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Comments

  • President of the TALK Club!

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Fatt Ng · Reply

  • More likely that beginning with the serious departure from our social contract that brought us together at independence in 1957 & poor governance brought down the previous govt?..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Of course, a man who is well past his sell-by-date, is unable to venture the real reason why UMNO was unable to defend it itself - thieving is indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Who still cares about this guy who went "quiet" when we all needed him prior to GE14.

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Another UMNO JOKER

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, you are a born loser. You chose the wrong party. Had you not pledged your support for Najib before GE14 and instead joined Bersatu, you will be like Muhiyuddin.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply

  • Ku Li, please stop giving excuses, MT should just "suspend" the president until his case is over. MT must have guts to do this now n rebuild.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ramakrishnan Thangavelu · Reply

  • Ku Li must have regretted it very much for not exiting UMNO before GE14. This means he accepted the wide practice of corruption by UMNO leaders. Very sad that hell end his political career in this manner. He should have joined Dr M, Muhyiddin, Anwar and Syafie Afdal footsteps. Goodby, Ku Li, rest in peace.

    Posted 7 years ago by Leng Kapri As Saribasi · Reply

  • ......because they dont like the elitism and arrogance and lack of democracy in Umno.

    Ku Li failed to include corruption in his above statement

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply