By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 – While both the top leaders of Umno seem ready to institute reforms in the party, the reality is that the party grassroots might prove to be the biggest stumbling block to meaningful change.
Delegates at today’s debate on outgoing party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s speech offered a different interpretation of reform, promoting the idea of strengthening the party by making it fully in control of the government.
“Those days, an application for a taxi permit would require the endorsement of an Umno branch or division chief. If the branches and divisions are strong, then Umno will be strong again,” said Bukit Mertajam party chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir.
He also said the party made a mistake in trying to curtail money politics as it showed that Umno leaders are not grateful to the members who have sacrificed for the party.
“Without money, how can the delegates come to Kuala Lumpur to attend the assembly? Please look at the place they are staying, some of them are sharing a room with seven or eight people,” said Musa.
He claimed that the disciplinary board was also very selective and called for it to be dissolved.
“I agree with the proposal to amend the constitution but, before that, please dissolve the disciplinary board,” said Musa.
He also urged the party leadership to appoint divisional chiefs to government-linked companies.
“If we want to change, do it properly. Use our power while we still have it,” Musa said to loud cheers from the delegates.
Musa’s call was also echoed by a Malacca delegate, Datuk Hasnoor Husin, who also urged the government to ensure that only Umno loyalists be appointed to senior positions in public universities.
“Please make sure the faculty members are all Umno men, and the same goes for other civil servants,” said Hasnoor.
He cited the example of UiTM vice chancellor Datuk Seri Ibrahim Abu Shah who was a party loyalist.

written by Abdul 'Afuw, March 26, 2009
written by Farmer, March 26, 2009
written by John Tan, March 26, 2009
- In other words, join UMNO not for the struggle but for the benefits that comes from it.
"He also said the party made a mistake in trying to curtail money politics as it showed that Umno leaders are not grateful to the members who have sacrificed for the party."
- So when you sacrifice for the party, you must be well rewarded for it by giving them tons of money. Now we are more than convinced that money politics is the norm here.
“Without money, how can the delegates come to Kuala Lumpur to attend the assembly? Please look at the place they are staying, some of them are sharing a room with seven or eight people,”
- So delegates who come to Kuala Lumpur must be given loads of cash and staying in 5-star hotels? I was at the impression they made sacrifices for the party ... looks like they are here "just to party".
"He claimed that the disciplinary board was also very selective and called for it to be dissolved."
- Err ... he got it right here, if it really was doing it's work, probably most would have not made it to the assembly, they forgot the givers, the distributors and those receiving. ( I mean the cash bring dished out )
He also urged the party leadership to appoint divisional chiefs to government-linked companies.
- Yes. Do so please, you don't need them to be right for the job. Afterall they are there just to spend and bankrupt the company. If we can dish out contracts via lottery balloting without knowing if the recipients are qualified, so it applies to appointments to GLC's too I suppose.
“If we want to change, do it properly. Use our power while we still have it,”
- Yes. Afterall it is all about power not about the people.
"the government to ensure that only Umno loyalists be appointed to senior positions in public universities."
- Err ... isn't that being practiced now already? Or were you left out?
“Please make sure the faculty members are all Umno men, and the same goes for other civil servants,”
- Yeah great idea. The next time when you apply for a place in the university or to be a civil servant, you will need to attached your UMNO membership card together with the application, else it will be rejected.
WAY TO GO!!!! Anymore good ideas!!!!
written by shaike, March 26, 2009
written by Akam, March 26, 2009
written by asli, March 26, 2009
written by Tapah, March 26, 2009
written by Memang Malu malu malu, March 26, 2009
written by Arul, March 26, 2009
They have forgotten that the power is given to them by the people - the voters. If the power holder use the power accordingly, than the voters will continued to give them the power. But once the power is misused by the holder and not use accordingly, then the voters have to give it to somebody else who are equally willing to manage it much more better.
So behold Umno!!! Don't be so arrogance!
written by Wong Pencen, March 26, 2009
Correction here please. Replace 'thinking' with some other word as you are giving the two guy too much credit.
written by ThrowShoes, March 26, 2009
written by Hang Aku, March 26, 2009
Abih le UMNO dapat pemimpin yg ikut perut tak ikut kepala...
written by MalaysianJoe, March 26, 2009
On another thought, if people with IQs lower than a kindy child like Musa and Hasnoor, I wonder how much lower will it make the value of the title "Datuk"
written by aramsawafer, March 26, 2009
written by FedUp, March 26, 2009
written by siew eng, March 26, 2009
but i don't know whether to laugh or cry (though both would definitely be done in despair!).
written by Jonas, March 27, 2009
written by yc, March 27, 2009
The rest will be incarcerated in concentration cap.
written by Disgusted, March 27, 2009
written by The Lion Heart, March 27, 2009
'When the illness is on top the skin layer, it's easy to cure. When it is skin deep, it still can be cured. However, when it gets into the fat and bone, it's time to buy coffin'
written by Fence sitter, March 27, 2009
written by Rain Man, March 27, 2009
I am not so sure that's exactly true.......
written by MightyDonkeyKong, March 27, 2009
Screw Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia is better off without them!
written by casey, March 28, 2009
They want only Umno loyalists be appointed to senior positions in public universities. “Please make sure the faculty members are all Umno men, and the same goes for other civil servants,” said Hasnoor.
Shiiiiiiiiit, no wonder there are few takers for PhD scholarships. Who needs PhD when an Umno membership is a better qualification to senior positions in public universities?
written by meLAYUUU, March 30, 2009
or cakapp dulu then dah mati baru nak pikir. This kind of people will bring down UMNO. How come this lembu got the micrpphone??? WHo give them the Microphone? As PR said.. hanya yg bodoh tinggal lam UMNO.. and they PROVE IT !!!.. excellent...




