KUANTAN, 29 Jan 2009: Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Umno is in need of drastic change and fast, to regain the people’s confidence in the party.
“I don’t want to make proposals openly. The supreme council members and incoming president Datuk Seri Najib Razak will have to discuss them after he takes over the party.
“There may be new ideas on the party structure, selection of leaders, election process, charity programmes and new approach that will be acceptable to the people.
“Umno is facing a strong challenge and it is important for us to have faith in the party and remain strong. Losing in the by-elections should not make us feel that we are in the wrong party. If there are weaknesses, then we have to rectify them.
“Not only Umno, Barisan Nasional (BN) too needs a new image. The new BN must have a new image and new format that is more convincing.
“We must have the “wow factor,” a new attraction not cosmetic change, something with substance and approach acceptable to all races,” he said when commenting on proposals to strengthen Umno following its poor showing at the by-election recently.
Muhyiddin said the proposal by Umno disciplinary board chairperson Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail yesterday that the party’s wings be abolished was not necessary as they brought a lot of good.
He added Umno’s image was not as bad as had been portrayed as its struggle was still based on fighting for race, religion and country.
“The dissemination of news by the media is such that the goods news is rarely published. Umno is still actively helping the people but they are not given recognition while the negative stories are blown up.
“I am not saying that we don’t have weaknesses. Some members are involved in money politics, giving the party a bad image but the overall picture is not such. The people’s perception towards Umno must be changed,” he said. — Bernama
