GEORGE TOWN – Despite infighting and its poor standing among certain sections of the population, Umno remains as relevant today as it was 75 years ago.
This is because the people can identify with the party’s struggles and are grateful for its strong leadership in the good old days, said a political veteran.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, 91, in an interview with The Vibes to mark Umno’s 75th anniversary today, said the party is still relevant.
It is just that it has leaders who have failed the party and people in recent years, he added.
“Umno needs to learn from past mistakes and emulate its founders, so it can return to its rightful place in Malaysian politics.”
As examples, Yussof cited the party’s three founding fathers.
First up, Malaysia’s first prime minister and Umno’s former president Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Yussof said during an official visit to Europe, Tunku was offered a commission of 10% by an engineering firm if he sanctioned the purchase of the firm’s products.
“Our beloved Tunku never took a sen of the government’s money (except for his wages).
“I was personally told that he rejected the offer, and instead urged the company to lower the equipment price by 10% to make it more affordable for the country.”
Yussof said current Umno leaders should take a leaf out of the Kedah prince’s book when he willingly stepped down as party president and prime minister to make way for Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
Or when Tun Hussein Onn voluntarily retired when he felt that he could no longer lead, he added.
The community activist said these examples should be used as a benchmark for present party leaders, as it does not matter who leads the country, as long as Umno holds the leadership role.
Thanks to Umno’s formula, he added, Malaysia has become a sovereign nation.
This includes the preservation of the Malay rulers, system of governance on parliamentary democracy, and the gracious move to accept then migrants as citizens of the country.
“Umno also shared power with others, even minorities.”
Yussof, who is Penang Malay Association president, said Umno has established institutions – from Felcra and Felda to Mara and Permodalan Nasional Bhd – to empower the majority, whom are Malays.
“Umno is currently in a political crisis, and it is not the party that is in the wrong.
Certain leaders are at fault. Leaders come and go, but Umno should remain.”
The present government also originated from the country’s largest political party, he said, as Bersatu and PAS are both Umno splinter parties.
He also chided leaders who, after losing support, went on to form other parties to destroy Umno.
Moving forward, Yussof urged Umno to make a wise decision; if there is a need to quit the present government, do so, and be ready to reclaim the people’s mandate by forming a new government with Barisan Nasional and Muafakat Nasional partner PAS.
More importantly, party leaders must be a gentlemanly and gracious, he added.
He said if any Umno leader is embroiled in any legal issue, he or she should withdraw and make way for successors. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021
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