SUHARTO Tijoo had heard talk it was going to be a crowded race for the Umno president’s post but Khairy Jamaluddin’s decision to contest was still a surprise.  

It took a few minutes for it to sink in that the Umno Youth chief was running for a post traditionally reserved for the party’s most senior and most powerful.   

Never before has Umno entertained the idea of a president below the age of 50. Never before has there been a free-for-all for the top post.

Analysts and the party’s rank-and-file like Suharto are seeing Khairy’s bid and the competitive party election this year as a critical step in rejuvenating a party that has become elitist and antiquated.

Allegations that Umno leaders had become corrupt and self-serving were a key factor in the party’s loss of federal power in GE14.

“It’s good,” Suharto said thoughtfully as he gazed at a picture of Khairy’s nomination form on Instagram.

“It’s good that he’s decided to fight for the presidency. It shows that this year’s Umno elections will be an open affair,” said the Baling division secretary.

The 50-year-old Suharto, who was a Baling Youth official, said Khairy was the type of young and dynamic leader Umno needed at the moment.

If he wins, Khairy will be the youngest ever president at 42. His two main rivals are acting president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, 65, and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, 81.

Khairy joining the president’s race augurs well for the 71-year-old party, said International Islamic University political science lecturer Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar.

“This gives the members more choices. There are two senior candidates who can stabilise the party while a younger choice can inspire other younger leaders,” said Tunku Mohar.

At the close of nominations yesterday, seven individuals had submitted their candidacy papers at Umno headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre.‎ 

While Zahid and Tengku Razaleigh have announced their candidacy, Umno executive secretary Ab Rauf Yusuf has not revealed who else is in the running for the post.

To be sure, given the structure of Umno and how influential party warlords are in choosing the leaders, Khairy will have an uphill battle trying to defeat more seasoned contenders.

‘Everyone has baggage’

Tunku Mohar said Tengku Razaleigh is seen as a political veteran and a credible candidate in the same manner as Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is now prime minister of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Khairy brings an intellectual dimension that is necessary for Umno if it wants to be an effective Opposition party to PH.

Zahid, on the other hand, may be tainted because of his strong support for the previous president Najib Razak, he added.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political science analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said Najib’s handing over of the reins to Zahid did not help the latter.

“Many observers feel that Umno needs a new leader who is comparable to Dr Mahathir. And in this regard, Tengku Razaleigh is seen as some with potential.

“Many in the party also feel that Umno needs a total overhaul as it is plagued by the perception that it is corrupt,” said Mazlan.

Khairy fits the bill as someone young and dynamic although he too has political baggage dating back to the previous prime minister and president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said Mazlan.

But Tunku Mohar does not think this will trouble Khairy.

“Although Khairy, too, has his baggage, the members’ priority is to pick someone who can put the party back on track.

“He will be in trouble if all the other contenders are equally strong. But they too have their fair share of baggage,” said Tunku Mohar.

Mazlan said the number of candidates for the top post is a sign that the grassroots want change.

“Since the 1987 fight between Dr Mahathir-Ghafar Baba and Tengku Razaleigh-Musa Hitam, there have been no contest in the party.

“This is good for the party and with Khairy in the race, it will be a hotly contested affair,” said Mazlan. – June 18, 2018.