Reprimand by Muhyiddin to increase confidence in UMNO - Analyst

Today, is the curtain-raiser for the three UMNO party wings to hold their general assemblies after it was officiated by the party’s deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tuesday.

The Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings assembly began with the keynote address by their respective chiefs and followed by the tabling of motions and debates on various issues, including security, peace, increase in the cost of living, education and national unity -- taking into consideration the mandate and reprimand delivered by Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin's speech last night could be considered as the most daring, as UMNO is viewed in a critical state and should be accepted by all party members and leaders.

For political analyst Dr Ahmad Mohammad Masrizal, Muhyiddin's speech was not merely to spark changes to UMNO but to increase the people's confidence before the 14th General Election (GE14).

"The speech touched on reality as efforts to build public’s trust towards UMNO was very important. If the reprimand or mandate made by the deputy president of UMNO cannot be fulfilled by party members and leaders, then no changes can be made,” he told Astro AWANI.

He said, when the comment is made by UMNO’s number two, then people will look at whether the members and leaders of the party were willing to make the changes.

Touching on the domination of warlords as mentioned by Muhyiddin, Dr Ahmad Masrizal said it is a reality that must be accepted by the members and leaders of the party if it wants to remain relevant.

He said many, especially the younger generation see UMNO being controlled by a handful of warlords which has inevitably left many y feeling there are still much room to be desired.

"This is the reality that must be accepted by the members and leaders of UMNO that the perception of younger people is that the party is controlled by the warlords.

"Young people do not see their opportunities UMNO due to the existence of warlords and this makes UMNO stagnant and not able to move forward," he said.

In his speech, Muhyiddin cited five reasons youth rejected UMNO.

Citing UMNO as facing a trust deficit, Muhyiddin said that UMNO has turned in a 'feudal party' practising a

'play it safe' and 'yes man' culture dominated by warlords and is threatened by a culture of intimidation.