I refer to the Malaysiakini report PM: Isa's offence a technical matter .

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's and Umno's selection of Mohd Isa Samad as the candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election illustrates perfectly what is wrong with him and Umno.

He make all the right noises, he realises that they have to change to win the hearts and minds of those that have deserted them and yet he just can't do it for fear of losing something else.

In the process he reveals to us the sincerity of his actions or rather the lack of, and yet he expects the people to support and trust him again.

Umno and BN hold a sentimental place in the hearts of many Malaysians who grew up post independence, but it was with a heavy heart that many of the same people voted for a disparate group of politicians led by a great orator with weaknesses of his own, in the last general elections.

It was supposed to be a wake-up call to the government that they are losing the moral right to run the country where corruption runs rampant at the expense of the people.

Alas, the rot has set in too deep for Umno to change as we all can see, and for their own good and the country's, Umno has to be forced to reform, and the only way for that to happen is to consign them to being the opposition.

Perhaps then they will find it within themselves to find leaders of calibre that can make a difference and regain their past glory.

In another place where morals are placed at a premium, Najib wouldn't even stand a chance to be in the running let alone be actually running the country.