Umno Future In Zahid S Hand

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THE 73rd Umno General Assembly starts today with special emphasis given to effort in putting the largest Malay/Bumiputera party on its right footing again. Fresh from Tanjung Piai by-election victory which saw the new politics of Muafakat Nasional trashing Pakatan Harapan 'beyond recognition', I guess the spirit is running high.

Together with MCA, MIC and new buddy Pas, Umno has all it takes to lead Barisan Nasional to Putrajaya again in the next general election. The changes may come soon or later but steering the party to the trust of the masses will be its utmost priority.

Having Zahid Hamidi at the wheel and Tok Mat alongside, together with Mahdzir Khaled, Ismail Sabri and Khaled Nordin around his waist, Umno looks more formidable. The Supreme Council members are forming a solid block to fortify him and the party.

My tale of the tape is simple - Zahid must proof that he is in total control, that he is the captain of the ship, and that this is his era as the party president. It's time for him to get away from the political stigma of the past. Being the only president in Umno's Opposition role, he has nothing to lose but he must possess the right set of mind to reverse the old saying 'no more to gain'.

Umno is still a subject of 'political mutiny' after seeing the exodus of many MPs after the 14th general election which prompted Zahid to take a 6-month 'leave'. The knives are still pointing at him, something which he needs to attend to seriously.

Its winning streak in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih, Rantau and Tanjung Piai is sweet but the question is as to whether Barisan Nasional can defend this victory in GE15. Not easy to win and not easy to defend it either.

It's still boiling hot on the inside. No need to mention names because they are widely known for being sour grapes to the new party leadership. More dangerous is those who are considered as being chummy to Zahid but are trying to tore Umno apart.

Another issue is the probability of those dumping the party for self-vested interest coming back into the arms of Umno. Majority of the grassroots were against the idea, unless they are willing to start from the basic zero, as an ordinary member. Reinstating their position as division or branch chief is not an option.

The 4-day assembly is also getting overwhelming attention from foreign diplomats in Malaysia, among which are the US, Russia, India, Japan, Korea, Britain, Southeast nations and the Middle East. Never in the past Umno had seen such a willingness by the Diplomatic Corps to attend its assembly, not even when it was in the government.

I am of the opinion that what takes place in the government and their wrongdoings - including its bad reputation with some countries - are making most diplomats restless and calculating their respective government relations with Malaysia under the current regime.

But in general, I foresee that Umno must move on with the Muafakat Nasional with its loyal friends MCA and MIC, together with Pas and other friendly parties in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. It must demonstrates how the Muafakat Nasional will augur well in building the nation and its people again.

Embrace a new politics of equilibrium for Malaysians. I believe Zahid will deliver a thrilling keynote address on the opening day, Friday.

Still under the government's 'muscle flexing' punishment, Umno still has many friends, locally and abroad. It's 61-year as the central government is unquestionable. The progress it has brought to the nation and rakyat is undeniable. Its a blessing in disguise over the GE14 defeat, it's a good wake-up call.

Muafakat Nasional is the right remedy, it can become a new deal for the people. However, Zahid needs political scientists around, not just analysts and engineers.

As another election season approaches, it is worth a look back at some recent election cycles to examine instances in which individuals within its organisations exhibited dishonorable and, in some cases, illegal behavior.

Although personal vitriol and polarisation regularly dominate the daily headlines, at least one other issue has become increasingly difficult to ignore – corruption – and it has unfortunately characterised our political environment far too often.

Time to change but the changes are to be adopted at all party levels. For Zahid, it will be grueling, and for Umno, it will be a buckling time!

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