KUALA LUMPUR – The public perception of Umno, especially its leaders, needs to be improved so as to regain Malaysians’ trust ahead of the 15th general election, said Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
The vice-president said the people know the party’s track record in terms of administering and developing the country, but many still have trust issues.
“We (Umno leaders) have to be seen that we have learnt from what happened in GE14,” he told Bernama here.
May 9, 2018 was the day Pakatan Harapan won the elections, ending the 61-year rule of Barisan Nasional, of which Umno is the main component.
Asked about the debate among party members on leaders facing charges in court, which could hamper efforts to rebuild Umno, Mahdzir said the matter should be handled rationally and wisely to avoid an internal split.
He said the party has weathered various crises since it was established nearly 75 years ago, including its deregistration in 1988, setting up of splinter outfit Semangat 46, and dismissal of deputy president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who went on to form PKR.
He urged Umno leaders and members to return to the party’s original struggle in the national interest, as well as for them to hold discussions to overcome the current political crisis.
The Umno general assembly on March 27 and 28 will serve as a platform for leaders and members to show their solidarity in setting the party’s direction ahead of GE15, including its cooperation with PAS and Bersatu, he said.
He said the party should also offer a “new deal” to the people, who are longing for change in line with present needs.
For example, Malaysia’s digitalisation effort is key and must be implemented comprehensively, as internet access is a necessity in this day and age, he said.
“We have to convince the people that Umno can do what they want, and there is a new deal for them.”
The Padang Terap MP said the political “pendulum” is swinging back to Umno and BN, after the rejection in GE14.
“I don’t see the people rejecting Umno in GE15, but we want to see how strongly the pendulum swings back to Umno and BN.”
The party rediscovered its momentum by winning seven of the 12 by-elections held after GE14, with four of the earliest ones won by PH.
The BN lynchpin found its winning streak in the fifth by-election, for the Cameron Highlands federal seat in January 2019. – Bernama, March 21, 2021
