In principle, Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said was not wrong to suggest that younger members and leaders should be appointed into the inner circle of Umno's top decision-making body.

Indeed, there is a pressing need for Umno to rejuvenate itself by dropping deadwood like Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, former treasurer Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Umno information chief Megat Junid Megat Ayob, as well as those who have overstayed their welcome like Rafidah Aziz. They o­nly serve to alienate the youth.

They should not be nominated or re-nominated as Umno or BN candidates anymore. Instead, more vacancies should be reserved for younger, more educated and less tainted members, especially those from Umno Youth and Umno Puteri. I am sure the farsighted Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will support this strategic move with decisiveness.

However, while youthfulness is important, it is also necessary for to ensure that such younger leaders are clean and experienced enough to be included in the inner circle of the top party leadership.

Otherwise, forces hostile to the struggle of Malays and Muslims, whether domestic or global, would exploit the corruption and inexperience of Umno leaders, in order to re-colonise Malaysia for their interests. Umno must forever maintain its leading, exclusive and dominant role in Malaysia and BN to ensure that Malays and Muslims are not oppressed again.

In this regard, it is important for younger leaders like Azalina to prove their leadership by clearing themselves off any charges of corruption - financial or moral. Otherwise, how can they expect veteran members to hand over power?

It is also important for younger Umno members and leaders to prove their mettle among the grassroots by winning positions. There is no two ways about it. Appointed leaders are not as respected or as legitimate as elected o­nes.

It is time for Puteri Umno and Umno Youth to push for the total rejuvenation of the party by educating members o­n the pressing need to drop the deadwood in the party.