Umno's new line-up a recipe for disaster, say grassroots

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 5 years ago · Published on 14 Jul 2018 9:16PM · 9 Comments

The names revealed by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to fill tops spots in Umno's liaison bodies today have been criticised by grassroots members. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 14, 2018.

UMNO’S new line-up, following a massive restructuring of the party’s leadership, shows that it has not learned from its mistakes in the 14th general election and is maintaining failing strategies from the days of Najib Razak’s leadership.

The names revealed by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to fill tops spots in the party’s liaison bodies today have been criticised by grassroots members as a recipe for disaster.

“Umno is stuck with the models and strategies of old. Approaches that clearly failed it in GE14 are being maintained. This is not the ‘team Umno’ that is committed to change.

“It’s decision to appoint former attorney-general Apandi Ali to the Supreme Council also appears desperate. 

“The people are well aware of his history concerning scandals, and his appointment is not only a political mistake, but also reveals Umno’s weakness in not being able to produce anyone with the skills to compete with the government,” said Kedah Umno Youth chief Hazizy Zainol Abidin.

He said the appointments also proved that “revenge politics” still existed in Umno, which comes as a disappointment following earlier pledges to create an environment based on a sense of belonging and inclusiveness.

“This is not a team capable of creating ‘winning recipes’... this line-up will instead push Umno down in terms of the level of acceptance by the people,” he said in a statement today.

Apandi was among 11 members appointed to Umno’s Supreme Council, as announced by Zahid today. 

He has since refused the post, saying accepting it would open the floodgates to criticism of his past role as judge and attorney-general.

Zahid also announced the appointment of Annuar Musa as Umno secretary, replacing Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who was named treasurer.

Annuar’s previous post as information chief was filled by Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is also Lenggong MP since 2008, while Mohd Sumali Reduan was appointed party secretary. 

Zahid, in making the announcement today, said the appointments followed the recent party polls that he described as “the first step towards reform in Umno so that it continues to remain relevant” after GE14.

Political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi, meanwhile, said Apandi and Annuar’s appointment would only burden Umno.

“Their posts require expertise in things such as legislation and strategy, but what they can bring to the table should not be exceeded by the ‘baggage’ they carry.

“Annuar is likely to be summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over his role in the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) issue while Apandi has been implicated in allegations of trying to block investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd,” he said.

Awang Azman said that a majority of Zahid’s new line-up consisted of the old guard.

“There are also new faces but demand for change from within is Umno biggest challenge right now,  not the government.” 

He added that Umno’s leaders had once again failed to seize the opportunity to create a winning team with the charisma, authority and ability to win the people’s hearts.

The other 10 members of the Supreme Council include three from Sabah –  a former Wanita Umno leader who lost in the May 9 polls Azizah Mohd Dun, Tuaran Umno division chief Hajiji Noor and Kimanis Umno division head Anifah Aman.

The others are former Umno vice-presidential candidate Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who is also Pasir Salak Umno division chief and Slim River state assemblyman Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib, who is also former National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman.

Hulu Langat Umno division chief Johan Abdul Aziz and Lipis Umno division chief Abdul Rahman Mohamad also made the list.

Zahid also appointed the heads of the three wings – Norliza Abdul Rahim (Wanita), Shahril Sufian Hamdan (Youth) dan Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi (Puteri).

Glaring absentees include party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, both of whom had contested and lost against Zahid for the president’s post in last month’s party polls. – July 14, 2018.

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Comments

  • Fook Umno!

    Posted 5 years ago by Savari CJ · Reply

  • Agreed with UMNO youth..... Get your coffin ready

    Posted 5 years ago by Jerry wong · Reply

  • As the saying goes "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Very sad.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • It's a bodoh sombong approach towards another major disaster. Good luck Zahid....

    Posted 5 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • Those whom God wish to destroy, he will first make mad.

    Posted 5 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • This line up is a recipe for insanity. Where is the inclusiveness to reflect those who believe M in UMNO stands for Malaysians? Where are its ladies? UMNO is either headed for a split if not an implosion in the not too distant future.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • There should be a UMNO Terbaru only then it can survive. No change? Then your are doomed!

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • UMNO......Get your coffin ready!!!!!!!! THE PH MALAYS ARE WEAK without balls too!!!!!!! To ALL CHINESE and INDIANS......COME AND CELEBRATE......DAP and ChInese RULE!!!! YAMMMMMMMMMM SENNNNNNNNNG!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Jerry wong · Reply

  • This blady indon just created a special recipe for disaster. A Pandi? U must be farkin kiddin me Indon

    Posted 5 years ago by Guna Rethinasamy · Reply