Friday, June 29, 2018

'Close Race On The Cards In UMNO Election', The Star, 29 June 2018

Thursday, June 28, 2018

'Presiden UMNO Akan Dipilih Luar Dari Legasi Najib', Sinar Harian, 28 Jun 2018

Monday, June 25, 2018

'A Departure From Previous Practice In Party Polls', The Star, 25 June 2018

Sunday, June 24, 2018

'With Sarawak Bloc In Play, PAS Seen Losing Clout', The Malay Mail, 24 June 2018

24 June 2018

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid And Ruban Anbalagan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — After Umno, PAS will feel most acutely the repercussions of the emergent Sarawak-based political bloc, a political shake-up that effectively made Borneo-based Opposition parties more influential than their peninsula counterparts, analysts told Malay Mail.

PAS is in a much weaker position to bargain for concessions from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government now, they pointed out, since the latter can bypass the Islamist party and look to the Sarawak parties in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for support in both Parliament and politically.

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg’s declaration that GPS will be PH-friendly will likely compound the problem for PAS, one analyst said. PAS has no ties with any of the Sarawak parties that reject its Islamist agenda.

“GPS is going to be PH friendly and is going to collaborate and cooperate with PH,” Jeniri Amir, political analyst with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, said.

“Furthermore, they have 19 seats, thus giving PH more strength,” he added.
PAS won 18 federal seats, retained Kelantan with a stronger mandate and won Terengganu in the 14th general election.
Its top leaders, believing the party had performed well, even as two-thirds of its 130 candidates lost, immediately expressed an intention to form coalition governments in states that either BN or PH won marginally. None materialised.
Critics said while the offers reflected PAS’ ambition to leverage its position, they were quick to note that the party’s overtures were generally ignored.
“PAS is no more influential,” said Oh Ei Sun, a policy adviser based in Singapore.
“PAS’ attempt to play kingmaker more or less ended after the last elections it is now viewed as ‘toxic’,” he added, pointing to the party’s unceremonious departure that triggered the collapse of Pakatan Rakyat, the Opposition coalition that preceded PH.
Polarised nation
GPS — comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) — control 19 federal seats and over two-thirds of the state’s 82-seat assembly.
Sarawak was widely viewed as a “safe deposit” for then ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), owing to the strength of its local component members, which have remained in power since Malaysia was formed in 1963.
But that loyalty appeared to waver in recent years as anger grew over the scandals dogging both state and federal BN leaders, giving rise to an anti-Putrajaya nativist movement demanding greater autonomy from what they viewed as federal hegemony.
Analysts said Sarawak parties know they must distance themselves from BN for survival, and that the formation of a state-based political bloc was meant to capitalise on the pro-autonomy sentiment to remain in power.
But some observers cautioned that a Borneo-based political bloc could give rise to more extreme nativist politics and risk polarising the country.
“It may split if Borneo is sidelined further,” Sivamurugan Pandian, Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst, said.
“Unless the Malaysian Agreement issue is spelled out in a more rational and practical way, find a win-win methodology to ensure all remain intact as one nation.”

Saturday, June 23, 2018

'In voting new Umno Youth chief, grassroots decide life or death of party', The Malay Mail, 23 June 2018

23 June 2018

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Who Umno grassroots elect to lead its Youth wing today will have a deep and lasting effect on the party’s effort to rebuild after losing federal power, observers said.

In the past, Umno’s elections have been more or less a top-down affair, in which the selection of leadership had been more or less pre-determined by those in power, making the internal polls a matter of formality exercised for the sake of “continuity”.

But the situation has changed vastly since May 9. Today, the party is battling to remain relevant after more than half of Malaysian voters, frustrated by scandals and the exuberance of its leaders, handed Umno its maiden electoral defeat after six decades in power.

So the 150,000 grassroots members that will vote know that who they vote as the new Youth chief will send a signal goes beyond party walls — crown the wrong person and voters will continue to shun Umno and view its reform bid as more lip service.
“They will go into the party elections knowing who they elect as leaders will decide Umno’s relevance in years to come,” Sivamurugan Pandian, political analyst with Universiti Sains Malaysia, told Malay Mail.
“They have this one chance to show whether they are genuinely trying to change and if they elect the wrong guy then they will struggle to regain trust.”
As the party that governed for over sixty years, Umno’s youth wing had become a training ground to groom the nation’s future leaders. Three of Umno’s seven presidents and prime ministers had led the wing at one point.
So contenders for the post know well that their candidacy will be gauged as the harbinger of the party’s future direction.
Some party leaders like outgoing Khairy Jamaluddin had said to regain support, Umno must undertake holistic reform, one inclined towards inclusivity and openness.
In a nutshell, the party, which has banked on communal sentiment and nativist politics to stay in power for the past three decades, must move more towards the centre.
The candidates
Some party grassroots saw the increase in the number of candidates already indicated the underlying changes in mindset taking place within Umno and underscored the sort of reform pushed by Khairy.
There are nine leaders vying for the post in this election, an unprecedented number some members felt showed how democratic the party had become.
“Before this only a selected powerful — meaning rich — leaders had the means to contest, and they usually have endorsements from top leadership,” said one Youth member who wanted to remain anonymous.
“Now we are no longer in power, who top leaders endorse no longer matter because these leaders may not necessarily have the connection to government contracts or money to pass around...for the first time they will have to vote based on party interests and survival,” the Umno member said.
But still, another Umno Youth leader noted that half of the nine candidates vying for the post carry baggages from the scandal-ridden leadership of past president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the man blamed for the party’s defeat in the 14th general election.
Candidates like current vice chief and senator Khairul Azwan Harun, Sungai Besar division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, the subject of multiple criminal investigations on the run from the authorities, and former deputy minister Datuk Asyraf Wajidi Dusuki were all ardent backers of Najib.
“If any of these leaders are elected, voters outside Umno may get the impression that nothing much has changed, and that can’t be good for our already-tainted image,” the leader, who did not want to be named, told Malay Mail recently.
The same Umno Youth leader believed this factor may prompt Umno grassroots to think beyond tradition and lend support to some of the more obscure contenders, with the hope that their status as outsiders will give the wing a chance to start clean and push novel ideas.
Names like Wan Md Hazlin Agyl, the Youth chief for the party’s Seputeh chapter, and Mohd Shahar Abdullah, the Paya Besar division Umno Youth chief who has been vocal against corruption within the party, have been touted as potential challengers.
Old habits die hard
But yet, there are those within the party that held views that Umno cannot shed a habit shaped for decades in just days, and those that will vote will continue to base their decision on a tradition that regards popularity more than substance.
On social media, a number of Umno supporters have already lamented that the outcome will likely favour candidates of the “old guards” like Asyraf or Khairul, even as both leaders are young, capable and are known to have pushed for progressive politics in the past.
The latter, which has promised to undertake structural reform that includes capping the age limit for the Umno Youth chief post to 40 and to simplify membership for younger cadres to join, is touted as the favourite to replace Khairy.
The party is scheduled to announce the polls results for the the three respective wings by evening.

'Pick Leader With Moral Legitimacy', new Straits Times, 23 June 2018

Monday, June 18, 2018

'Persaingan buka lembaran baharu buat Umno', Sinar Harian, 17 Jun 2018

Nurulfatiha Muah

17 Jun 2018

SHAH ALAM - Pertandingan tujuh penjuru melibatkan calon Presiden Umno membuka lembaran baharu dalam sirah riwayat Umno selepas keputusan PRU14 yang kurang memberangsangkan.
Penganalisis politik dari Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berkata, perebutan jawatan selepas PRU14 amat penting bagi Umno untuk menunjukkan adanya perubahan kepimpinan yang komited selaras dengan perubahan landskap politik arus perdana.

"Walaupun ia menunjukkan keterbukaan, namun bukan kuantiti yang diutamakan, tetapi pemilihan calon yang berwibawa, sifat orang Umno dan bukan sekadar menjadi ahli Umno, tetapi juga berkredibiliti tinggi, reputasi dihormati di dalam dan luar parti, serta boleh mengangkat Umno dalam konteks gelanggang politik yang sudah berubah," katanya kepada Sinar Harian.
Sivamurugan berkata, tujuh calon presiden dilhat membuka luas gelanggang pertandingan atas nama demokrasi.
"Perwakilan mungkin sudah ada pilihan. Perpecahan undi boleh berlaku jika undian secara blok berlaku," katanya.
Meskipun calon datang dari pelbagai latar belakang, beliau berkata, tanggungjawab besar menanti mereka jika diberi amanah oleh perwakilan memegang jawatan tertinggi itu untuk membina semula parti.
"Ada calon yang tidak pernah memenangi pilihan raya atau bertanding dalam pemilihan sebelum ini dan ada pula calon yang sudah diuji banyak kali. Kepelbagaian latar wujud, tetapi tanggungjawab selepas menang amat besar untuk membina semula parti.
"Justeru, perwakilan tidak boleh lagi mengundi atas sentimen, tetapi undi atas prinsip perjuangan parti. Tujuh calon (memang) meriahkan pemilihan, tetapi adakah bilangan ramai yang dimahukan atau mencari yang terbaik dalam kalangan terbaik?," katanya.
Menurutnya, adalah penting untuk memastikan pertandingan itu berlaku secara sihat untuk merapatkan semula barisan parti selepas 30 Jun ini.
"(Calon) yang kalah perlu boleh terus mainkan peranan jika perjuangan adalah berasaskan kepada parti kerana pasca pemilihan amat kritikal untuk membina semula kepercayaan yang terhakis dalam PRU14," katanya.

'Wajah Baharu Dasar Pandang Ke Timur 2.0' dan 'Pertembungan Dua Personaliti', Sinar Harian, 17-18 Jun 2018

Thursday, June 14, 2018

'MB Selangor: Siapa lebih menonjol?', Sinar Harian 10 Jun 2018

SINAR HARIAN

Norafiza Jaafar

10 Jun 2018

SHAH ALAM - Kerusi panas Menteri Besar Selangor perlu diisi dengan ciri-ciri pemimpin yang perwatakan seimbang antara politik dan mesra rakyat.
Pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berpandangan Adun Sungai Tua, Amirudin Shari mahupun Adun Ijok, Dr Idris Ahmad masing-masing berkelayakan.

Namun menurutnya, yang perlu diberikan penekanan adalah mendapat persetujuan semua pihak tanpa mengabaikan hubungan dengan pihak istana.

“Calon Menteri Besar mestilah mendapat perkenan Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, kepimpinan parti dan memenuhi aspirasi negeri.
“Kerana kriteria diatas adalah yang terdapat pada Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali ketika menerajui Selangor selepas Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim,” katanya.
Beliau tidak menolak pengaruh dalam kepimpinan parti mendominasi jawatan tersebut.
“Persoalan calon yang mahu diangkat adakah dipilih oleh Azmin sendiri atau kepimpinan parti bergantung pada pengaruhnya memainkan peranan dalam parti.
“Dr Idris barangkali akan diberikan keutamaan kerana pengalamannya dalam parti namun Amirudin lebih awal menjadi pilihan dalam pentadbiran jadi persetujuan antara istana dan parti perlu seiring,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Penganalisis Politik dari Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani berkata, calon yang paling penting ialah boleh memimpin dan mendapat keyakinan rakyat serta istana dilihat paling sesuai untuk mentadbir Selangor.
“Kalau nak MB muda dan ada pengalaman pentadbiran Amirudin sesuai. Kalau nak cari seorang yang senior yang juga berpengalaman politik dan dihormati oleh pemimpin dan rakyat, Dr Idris juga sesuai.
“Kedua-dua calon ada kekuatan masing-masing namun pada pandangan saya Amirudin ada kelebihan setakat ini kerana pengalaman dalam pentadbiran dan Exco,” katanya.
Tambahnya, prestasi Amirudin dibuktikan selepas Azmin menyambung khidmat beliau sebagai Exco.
“Saya lebih tertarik jawatan itu diberikan kepada orang muda tapi kalau tidak mampu, boleh diberikan kepada yang lebih senior.
“Prestasi beliau tidak boleh dinilai sewaktu mengetuai Persatuan Bola Sepak Selangor kerana semua negeri menghadapi masalah pengurusan sama,” katanya.
Katanya, meskipun Selangor dalam kedudukan ekonomi kukuh dan stabil namun Menteri Besar masih perlu memainkan peranan penting.
“Sangat penting jawatan MB ini. Kalau salah pilih mungkin keadaan Selangor akan teruk. Tak semestinya seperti Azmin tetapi mampu setanding dengan Azmin.
“Beliau haruslah dilihat mampu dari segi kepimpinan untuk memberi arahan yang boleh diikuti semua pihak lantas memakmurkan rakyat,” katanya.
Dr Idris adalah Adun Ijok selama dua penggal dikatakan calon tunggal dicadangkan Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) untuk mengisi jawatan Menteri Besar Selangor.
Dikatakan beliau mempunyai rekod terbaik melayakkannya menggantikan Azmin.
Beliau juga dikatakan mendapat sokongan dari parti perikatan lain termasuk Bersatu, Amanah dan DAP.
Namanya tidak menonjol berbanding Amirudin dan calon lain termasuk Adun Seri Setia, Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin.
Amirudin sebelum ini pernah menyatakan kesediaan beliau jika namanya diangkat mengisi jawatan itu berdasarkan arahan pucuk pimpinan yang tidak boleh dielakkan dan perlu menjalankan amanah itu penuh tanggung jawab.
19 Jun ini Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah perkenan mengadakan istiadat pelantikan dan angkat sumpah Menteri Besar Selangor yang baharu.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

'Barisan's Loss Is Pakatan's Gain, Say Analysts', The Star, 13 june 2018

'Mengimbau Nostalgia Raya Jalan Ketoyong', Pena DrSiva, 7 Jun 2018

'100 Hari: Rakyat Jangan Tekan Kerajaan', Sinar Harian, 3 Jun 2018

'Transisi Harapan', Sinar Harian, 30 Mei 2018

'Gaya Tun Mahathir Mentadbir Malaysia Dulu Dan Sekarang', Kosmo, 26 Mei 2018

GE14 Roundup: Is Umno gone for good?, The Edge, 24 May 2018

Mohsin Abdullah

/

The Edge Malaysia

May 24, 2018 16:00 pm +08

EVEN if BN had managed to somehow cling on to federal power in the recently concluded 14th general election, Datuk Seri Najib Razak would have had to go, simply because the Umno he led fell in Johor — the birthplace of the political party.
So, with the federal administration and Johor slipping from its hands, not to mention the other states it lost, it is a no-brainer to say Najib must relinquish his Umno presidency.
Will Umno do a Badawi on him ? Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi saw the BN he led losing its two-thirds majority in parliament following the 2008 general election and losing five states, although it hung on to the federal government. Umno ousted him as party president.
Abdullah’s failure is nothing compared with the disaster Najib has led his party into this time. So, will Umno force him out?
Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin is calling for what he calls reforms. At the time of writing, at least one youth leader, from Kedah, had called for Najib’s resignation. Expect the calls to grow louder in the days to come.
The blame game has begun. Umno leader Datuk Puad Zarkashi, who was dropped from the GE14 slate, blamed Najib for the defeat, saying the Umno president was too soft in dealing with the party’s warlords. He also pointed an accusing finger at fellow Johor leaders Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.
Why Umno lost is no longer the question. What the members and Puad are saying has been said by many long before GE14.
Hence, the big question is, will Najib quit?
Whether he goes voluntarily or is forced out, it means he will no longer be the opposition leader. Is he willing to be humbled, to be just an ordinary MP, after being prime minister for eight years?
Assuming he resigns, on his own accord or otherwise, who will take over? That’s an equally big question.
The logical choice must be Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi , the vice-president who carries out the duties of deputy president. He was, after all, No 2 in the Najib administration.
Will he step in?
But here’s the thing. When Abdullah relinquished the Umno presidency, BN still controlled the federal government .That meant the person taking over as Umno president would become prime minister. That was Najib.
But now, whoever takes over will not be rewarded with the plum job of PM.
So, will Zahid, Hishammuddin, Khairy, or any other leader for that matter, be willing to become Umno president and shoulder the mammoth task of rebuilding the party, and as the opposition? That’s no easy feat.
Now, another big question is, can Umno recover from the GE14 disaster?
Political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian told The Edge deputy editor Tan Choe Choe that “it can if drastic changes are made, [with] older leaders making way for younger ones”.
We cannot say Umno has no hope — it still won a good number of seats. We have seen how the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party bounced back after a severe loss. So, it’s not impossible for Umno to recover if it can quickly find a remedy.
True. But its members are not the Japanese, who are known for their resilience and endurance.
I am not writing the party off. But I am, if I may, reminding the leaders and members alike that they have to recharge their semangat and rebuild their party without the things they were used to previously — the advantages, resources and perks of being the incumbent government.
And before they embark on their long journey to recovery, there’s another question of the state of confusion within the party’s ranks resulting from the Election Commission’s redelineation exercise.
According to a highly placed Umno insider, the redrawing of constituencies saw Umno divisions and branches being moved. That led to some leaders being shifted to other divisions and not having any position.
The insider said the party leadership was aware of the problem but had told members to first focus on GE14 before tackling the problem.
That included the restructuring of branches and divisions.
Perhaps. The Umno insider said there were already members lobbying to be protem heads at the new restructured divisions. Obviously, then, Umno did not think that it would lose the general election.
To say Umno is dead and buried would not be right, but the party has a mountain to climb. A very high mountain — and that is putting it conservatively.
And there’s another thing — talk that Umno is an illegal party is making the rounds again.
But that’s for another day.

Mohsin Abdullah is a contributing editor who has covered politics for more than four decades