UMNO’S leaders are seen as elitist and tend to distance themselves from the people on the ground, says Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah.

Tengku Razaleigh, who is running for the party’s presidential post, said these individuals acted differently when they were elevated to certain positions.

“Not only (they) changed the way they dress, but (they also) changed the way they talk and behaved towards the people they regarded as their supporters or followers,” he said in an interview with BFM radio station today.

He also compared Umno leaders to PAS, whose leaders he said remained humble despite holding top positions in the party.

“In PAS, for instance, these people have not changed.

“Even if they are MB (menteri besar), they still behave and dress they way they used to and melt into the crowd easily, so they are one of them.”

Tengku Razaleigh, also known as Ku Li, said he had always been accessible.

“That is why I have been in my constituency from 1969 until today, because people can have access to me,” said the Gua Musang MP.

When asked about the party members on former prime minister Najib Razak, Tengku Razaleigh said they had not said anything negative about Najib.

“They are still perplexed by all these accusations against Najib simply because everything has not been proven; these are sometimes regarded as wild accusations,” he said.

He added the rural folk did not understand the scandal involving Najib and 1Malaysia Devlopment Bhd.

Tengku Razaleigh said some may believe the scandal and some may not.

“I did raise the subject with my voters, but they have no interest in it.  

“They don’t show interest in it. Unless they’re pretending not to be interested in it.” – June 26, 2018.