LETTER | If Umno were to change its name to United Malaysians National Organisation and opens its door to all Malaysians regardless of race, I will be among the first to apply for membership.

It may not sound like much but significant enough, considering that I have never joined any political party nor attended a political rally, although I will be turning 68 in a few months’ time.

It has nothing to do with the current crop of Umno leaders, as none could compare to the late founder Onn bin Ja'afar, who has earned eternal respect from those who treat race as a non-issue.

Onn called for party membership to be opened to all Malayans and tried to rename Umno as United Malayans National Organisation.

When his recommendations were not supported, he left the party on 26 August 26, 1951, to form the Independence of Malaya Party.

His son Hussein bin Onn, was our third prime minister from 1976 to 1981. The first prime minister was Tunku Abdul Rahman and the second Abdul Razak Hussein.

In my opinion, the greatest deputy prime minister we ever had was Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, whose integrity was beyond reproach.

The eldest of his six children is Mohamed Tawfik, a former Sungai Benut MP, and in recent years a moderation advocate.

 The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.