IF Umno is to step out of the cloud that its former president Najib Razak had cast over its name, the members must be brave enough to break out of the grip of the warlords, said A. Kadir Jasin.

Otherwise it will be tough for Khairy Jamaluddin to succeed in his bid for the party presidency, said the veteran newsman and political commentator. 

Umno warlords are influential division chiefs, who, due to the resources at their disposal and the feudal system, are able to dictate how the members vote.

Kadir believes Khairy is key to Umno winning back the confidence of Malaysians. “I thought it was refreshing that there is a new face contesting for president. Khairy is the right person to give Umno a new face and personality,” Kadir told The Malaysian Insight.

“If Umno is serious about departing from its dubious past under Najib, it has to think more bravely and I think Khairy is the right choice but he must get past the warlords and their grip on the party.

He cautioned the warlords could scupper Khairy’s bid by backing either Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. 

The Bersatu supreme council member has blogged extensively about Khairy being Umno president and even prime minister potential.  

He said Khairy’s opponents, interim president Zahid and Gua Musang MP Ku Li would not be able to take the party very far 

“Ku Li and Zahid are considered old faces not only because of their age but because of their being too close to the past,” Kadir said.  

Seven people are vying for the Umno presidency this year including Zahid, Ku Li and and blogger Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz.

Kadir said Umno members had finally realised the party was a sinking ship in need of a major overhaul.

“GE14 has given a clear signal to Umno. Now it appears they want a major change and they should go with a younger set of leaders.”

Kadir warned that money politics could rear its ugly head in the party elections with so many spots up for grabs.

Umno received a total of 612 nominations for party positions .

Nine individuals are contesting for three vice-presidencies and three leaders are vying for the deputy presidency.  

There are nine nominations each for Youth chief and deputy Youth chief, and four nominations each for Wanita chief and Puteri chief.

A total of 121 people are vying for one of the 25 seats on the Umno Supreme Council. – June 18, 2018.