Ku Li: Umno leadership is part of the problem

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says the departure of Bota assemblyperson Nasarudin Hashim from Umno to PKR shows a leadership crisis in Umno.

Describing Nasarudin’s action as “a huge blow”, Tengku Razaleigh said it also confirmed the downward trend in support for Umno since the March 8 general election and the by-election defeats in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu.

“Umno, for many of us, has been more than simply a political party. In better days, it was also a social movement inspired by ideals of service. As members we felt part of something larger than ourselves, part of a noble cause within which we formed many lasting friendships across the country.”

“Today, the party is barely recognizable to those who joined that party. The party continues to come apart and the government to lose support. Not a single effort at party reform has seen the light of day while tired leaders recycle tired formulas. Indeed the leadership is part of the problem,” said the Gua Musang MP.

Tengku Razaleigh or affectionately known as Ku Li was commenting on the defection of Nasaruddin last week in his latest blog posting.

Nasarudin, 58, a former Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) chairperson, had on Jan 25 announced he had joined PKR.

Since then, it was reported that three more Barisan Nasional Assemblyperson had relayed their intentions to defect although Umno deputy president Najib Abdul Razak denied there will be more defections.

'Members losing confidence in Umno'

The Gua Musang MP said he was sad to hear a good man and a friend leaving the party.

He portrayed Nasarudin as an honest and capable man with deep roots in Umno, adding that the Bota assemblyperson's decision to quit stems from the poor results of the general election and the condition of the party and its leaders.

Tengku Razaleigh urged Umno leaders to be open over the party's problems so it could be addressed directly.

“Real confidence is built on an understanding of the truth. This is the painful process that can only be mediated by leaders of transparent characters, who do not owe their authority to money,” he said.

"I do not think it is right for our leaders to play down the significance of our losing Nasarudin or to belittle his intentions. That would be to make the same mistake as to play down the significance of our party now being unable to win elections," the veteran Umno leader said.

The Gua Musang MP said the party may have found itself waist high in water following the March general election results, but what was important was to observe the water rising steadily almost a year later.

“It is little wonder that our members at all levels are losing confidence in the future of the party,” he said.