Umno is a politically ‘rotten salted fish’

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It does not take the brain of a rocket scientist to figure out whether whatever little support from non-Malays for Umno in GE15 will continue to do so in GE16.

A senator has asked why Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has yet to be investigated for sedition after posting a picture of himself holding a sword on Facebook. Akmal had posted the picture, taken during a recent trip to Japan, on March 14. The picture was captioned: “No matter what, we will not waver from our stance. Better to die standing than live kneeling.”

Lawyer and social activist Siti Kasim said: "I recently saw a TikTok video where he (Akmal) was seen calling the Malays to be ready. He was seen sharpening a parang ... this is something the police must act on.

"It is like he is instigating the Malays to create problems. Islam never teaches us all this," said Siti.

Umno is a politically ‘rotten salted fish’

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29, 2024: Umno is a politically “rotten salted fish” party in Malaysia. Even the salt is unable to keep the fish edible.

Is it then possible to revive it?

In the last 15^th General Election (GE15), Umno was significantly rejected by the Malays and was left reeling with only 26 parliamentary seats in the 222-seat Parliament.

And it is still as arrogant as ever, thinking that Malays will return in drovers to support Umno.

The fact remains that as long as Umno continues to exploit racial and religious sentiments for political mileage, it will even lose whatever little support it had from the non-Malays in the next GE which must be held in 2027.

As long as Umno contimues supporting its racist youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s continuous bigotry rantings, Umno is likel;y to end up with even fewer seats in Parliament after the next GE.

Umno then suffers the same fate as MCA and MIC, becoming irrelevant in politics to Malaysians.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports on Umno’s bid to get its sacked members back into the party:

MALASIA

No point returning to damaged, irrelevant, rejected Umno, says Annuar Musa

Party’s former sec-gen says it is now only a tool, shield for its leader.

Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 29 May 2024 1:11PM

Former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa says there is no point in returning to a party damaged by the actions of its leader, a party that is irrelevant and rejected by the people. – The Vibes file pic, May 29, 2024.

THERE is no point in returning to a party damaged by the actions of its leader, a party that is irrelevant and rejected by the people, said former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

In a post on Facebook, he said there is no need to pay serious attention to the statement by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias that the party is considering taking back some former leaders and members who were removed during a party-wide “cleansing” after the 15th general election.

“It is up to the members concerned if they want to return to politics. That is each individual’s right. 

“The party is now only a tool and shield for its leader... there is no more democracy in its organisation. It has turned on its foundation and principles, and it is unclear who is a friend or foe.

“The party’s political sense has dulled,” said the former Ketereh MP.

He said Umno has remained silent when UiTM was labelled as apartheid, and instead of addressing issues like taxes, bills, and the decreasing ringgit value, party members are busy justifying their leaders’ actions.

“No wonder many of its divisions have been abandoned, have failed, or refused to hold meetings.

“Millions of party supporters changed their allegiance during the general election, and members are now open about not following the leaders’ moves to ‘lick’ (menjilat) others.

“For sure, those who left will never return,” he said.

Last year, Annuar, who had been an Umno member from 1972 to 2022, submitted his application to join PAS.

Several prominent Umno leaders, such as former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, former Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, and Isham Jalil, were expelled in a purge.

Umno has also temporarily suspended several leaders, including Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan. – May 29, 2024

MALAYSIA

Umno hopes return of sacked members will revive party, says pollster

Party will fare better with a change of leaders, says Merdeka Center

Updated 6 hours ago · Published on 29 May 2024 8:00AM

Umno, which has been steadily losing popularity since 2018, is in need of new blood. – The Vibes file pic, May 29, 2024.

BY Alfian Z.M. Tahir

UMNO could be revived by taking sacked members back into the fold, but the party would do better with a change of leadership, Merdeka Center co-founder Ibrahim Suffian said.

He said Umno would be able to attract new voters if the Malay party had new leaders.

"The potential (for revival) is there, but that will depend on who they are taking back into the fold. Those with credibility and followers will attract attention," Ibrahim said.

"But a leadership transition will have a bigger impact (on the party's fortunes)."

He said Umno could be taking back the members it has sacked to prevent them from making trouble for the party.

"Umno is trying to reduce the frictions in the party as it gears up for the next general election against PAS and Bersatu.

"It does not want these ex-members to join the opposition and help them in the polls," said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was commenting on a statement by Umno Supreme Council member Jalaludin Alias, who said the party was considering taking back former leaders and members who were removed in a party-wide “cleansing” after the 2022 general election.

Jalaludin said former members who remained loyal to the Malay nationalist party and its aims would be given a second chance.

Over the last year, Umno has revoked the membership of several prominent party leaders, such as former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, former Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, and its information chief Isham Jalil.

Umno has also temporarily suspended the membership of several leaders, including Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former party information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar did not think the return of sacked members would make Umno any stronger.

"The political landscape has changed. The new voters are for Perikatan Nasional. Umno needs a new formula to attract these people," he said.

"There is no guarantee old faces will help the party win over new voters, especially the young ones.

"Things have changed. Umno will not get any better allowing sacked members back into the party."

Door is always open

Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam said the party is ready to take back members who were sacked, but only if they show lyalty.

Lokman, who was booted out of Umno in the past but reinstated later, said the party was considering re-admitting several names.

"Our door is always open to new and old members. But those who have been sacked, they need to prove their worth to the party. They need to show loyalty and commitment and be ready to toe the party line.

"There is a process. When I was sacked, I wrote eight appeal letters. I waited more than a year to get back in.

In 2020, Umno sacked Lokman for defying the party president and Supreme Council.

Puad Zarkashi denied former Umno member Isham's claim that Umno was desperate.

Puad said Umno has a history of taking back sacked members, among whom were Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

"Umno has always accepted sacked members but with conditions.

"We are not desperate; we review the applications of those who were sacked. It is not us who ask them to come back," said Puad.

Isham had accused Umno of being desperate to regain Malay support.

He said Pakatan Harapan had won in six of the eight Malay-majority polling districts in Kuala Kubu Baru because Malay voters, especially Umno supporters, had not voted in protest.

He said that as long as Umno continued to be led by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and cooperated with DAP, many grassroots supporters and former leaders would not return to the party. – May 29, 2024.