UMNO must undergo total change to face political challenges

Political experts and academicians agree that UMNO, which will celebrate its 69th anniversary on May 11, has the courage to change its modus operandi to rejuvenate the party.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Fuad Mat Jali said as the backbone of the government, UMNO must answer all the criticism and explain all issues to the people.

"The UMNO leadership and machinery from the top to the branch level must understand that issues, whether good or bad need, to be immediately explained. If solidarity among the machinery is lacking, how can they explain current issues to raise support and confidence of the people?" asked the lecturer of Geo-Politics, Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty in UKM.

Mohd Fuad said after all the issues were explained and improvements made, the support and confidence of the people towards UMNO would translate into votes at 14th general election (GE14).

Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff said UMNO's marketing approach to gain the confidence of the people must be changed.

"Otherwise, the people will hear the same old thing. There are no fresh ideas and nothing has changed," he added.

Meanwhile, an UMNO spokesman said several knowledge-based and spiritual events have been lined-up to mark the 69th UMNO anniversary celebration, including 'Tahlil' for UMNO Supreme Council member Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis who was killed in a helicopter crash on April 4, Maghrib prayers followed by Yasin recital and Isyak prayers at the Surau Ar-Rahman, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

Another event is the UMNO flag raising ceremony at Dewan Merdeka, PWTC, accompanied by the UMNO song, 'Bersatu, Bersetia, Berkhidmat.'

Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to deliver his keynote address before Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders in addition to presenting the outstanding Malay award. UMNO candidates representing BN won 88 parliamentary and 241 state seats in the GE13, an improvement from the 79 parliamentary and 239 state seats at the GE12.

The BN government is facing criticism over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.