In this final part of the interview, Umno politician Shahrir Abdul Samad talks about his plan for the next general election and why he thinks it would not be held so soon.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Malaysiakini: You've been around for a long time. Having the distinction of being the youngest political secretary, youngest electoral candidate and youngest minister in the Cabinet once, people thought you would have gone somewhere, a top minister if not prime minister material. What went wrong?

Shahrir: That's only if you assume the ambition of everybody who enters politics is to become a prime minister or minister, (or) there is only one political role in politics. I think I am old enough to realise there is still the underlying public service which can be our ambition in politics. I used to talk about it when I was younger but people don't believe me, but now that I am older, people probably will think (what I said) is true.

I remember telling my friend that the highest I aspire to be is to become the chairman of Pernas (National Trading Corporation) which I am now. Sincerely, I didn't think that entering politics was to achieve the ambition to be a prime minister. I don't think anything went wrong, it went quite according to plan although there was a moment when I was sacked from the Cabinet, but whatever it was, I think I got my way.

I got my message through and prove my point especially as the Johor Baru MP (member of Parliament). I quit when I wanted to quit; I stood as an Independent when I wanted to prove a point; I retired for 15 years; I came back when I wanted to come back, and I will walk away when I want to do so.

What's next for Shahrir?

[ Laughs ] Nothing, no big plan.

Do you intend to run as MP again?

There is still some time down [the road].

It's not some time down the road...

How do you know that? [ Laughs ] I am a loyal member of the party, I can't make my own decision whether I can be a candidate or not (in the next general election) but of course I have my reservation of running again because I will be 59 years old next year. The problem is nothing wrong to be 59, but four years later I will be 63 and I would rather have someone younger to come in.

I will be quite happy if they ask me, 'Eh, can you please make way for someone'. I will be quite happy to do it but if they say 'Please carry on', I will think about that. I always maintain that anyone who is above 55 is old and should just get out of the way and let the young take over. We are too old and (in there for) too long, that's the problem.

You have strong principles and speak your mind, which makes you unique in Malaysian politics.

No, I don't think so. There are a lot of people like me, what we are seeing are not representative of the valuable talents in either MCA, MIC or Umno. All the political parties including the opposition tend to have personality problems and this may prevent the emergence of the talents that we want.

I am not really alone but it's just that I came from a period emphasising on the search for talents. Those days, the leadership earnestly searched for talents, infused new blood and did not allow long standing party members to dominate the candidate line-up.

When (ex-deputy premier) Musa Hitam picked me up, I asked him, "Why do you want me to serve as your political secretary when there are a lot of other Umno members". He said "No, we need to inject new blood into the system and we can't always take the long standing party members because when you have been a party member for too long, you tend to adopt bad habit and get into a culture which then sets in permanently and you can't change it."

That's why I don't see myself as being unique in the sense that if we had allowed these infusion of new blood rather than trying to always pander to party's loyalty and experience, then you might get what you want.

You were rumoured to have been offered a minister's post in the last Cabinet reshuffle (in 2006)...

I was offered.

Why did you reject it?

I think I can be useful outside.

What post were you offered?

I don't know what it was.

It's unusual for someone to reject it...

Why is it unusual? Why?

It's unusual if you look at Umno, MCA... everyone wants to be a minister.

When I first entered the political arena at age 23, I didn't come with an ambition, all I thought politics was how you serve the people. Of course people said don't bullshit, you must be out there to make money. No, and I don't think I am alone (in having this thought). There are thousands out there like me.

Was Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) disappointed when you said 'No'?

I didn't ask him. It's a right to say 'No', isn't it? It's important to demonstrate (this spirit) and not just for show. A MP also has an important job. You must come to a stage for someone to really serve the function (of a MP).

How would you advise the ambitious politicians out there, thinking of moving up but not serving the people?

They have to see politics as a service. It's just not about power. When I was minister, I can really do things for the squatters, introduce more public housing projects etc. There was the opportunity but it's not a means to an end - those who are not ministers can contribute through other ways as well.

What is your view on the current Umno Youth?

It's certainly a different time. They have to realise that public service is important and those opting to enter politics must think of it as a service.

That element of public service has to be strengthened in Umno itself because you can't blame the young if they don't get involved in public politics and don't see beyond position. You can't blame them. There has to be continuous understanding and education that politics is about public service.

How about Umno's chances in the coming general election?

Umno will still win. The point is sometimes in our own enthusiasm, we convince ourselves that perhaps not everything is right. By convincing ourselves that not everything is right, we then convince ourselves that certain steps have to be taken.

I hope (there will be) a lot more time (before) the next elections so there will be some time (for us to think) how badly managed we are, whether we actually have not much hope as we think of ourselves. Sometimes we have not been fair to ourselves. I am saying the elections shouldn't be so soon. It won't be so soon.

Has the Umno supreme council discuss about the general election?

We have yet to discuss it. That's why we are surprised why everybody is talking about it. Is it because of the media?

You were one of the first politician-blogger...

I am not a blogger, I am just a writer having a website. I don't believe in interactive, automated posting because that's bad. I believe we need to be responsible on what we blog.

What prompted you to start the blog?

My political career started from my writing. Both Tun Musa and myself were writing at the same magazine on a same subject (social responsibility and management) - I was writing as a student and he as a political leader. I have always been writing as a student in school, editor of school magazine and then when I wrote in the same magazine that Musa contributed, it became the reason for him to offer me a job as his political secretary.

I have always been keen about writing. I started writing for Watan in 1988. After Watan went bust, I wrote for another magazine. Now I am coming out with a collection of my old writings.

Do you think the government will come down harder on bloggers in view of the coming general election?

Only if there are inflammatory (postings), so try not to be inflammatory lah, can be defamatory only [ laughs ].

Shahrir looks set to retirement

Part One

Shahrir: Judicial hangover from 1988 crisis

Q&A: 'No strong reasons to sack Salleh'

Part Two

Shahrir: Records on vessel deal 'destroyed'

Q&A: Why must I do all the work?