Reform is a double-edged blade. For years we have heard the word but little do we know what needs to be done for it to be considered done. Talking about reform and not do anything will not work. Here are my suggestions for reform in Umno:-

1. Member registration reform

Centralise the registration process at the Umno headquarters and then assign the new members to the branch/division they wish to join without requiring any approval from that branch/division.

This will definitely prevent new registrations from being ‘controlled’ by the branch/division leaders. At present, there is too much control at the division level and as a result, these leaders become too powerful and cocky.

In the end this manipulation prevents the registration of intellectuals and professionals who are seen to be a threat to the current leadership. Only the dumb and mindless will be accepted in.

On way of manipulation is that potential members who wish to join but are not affiliated to the leader’s faction group will be rejected or have find application ‘missing’.

These ‘rejected’ potential Umno members may then join other political parties which are more accommodating.

2. Party elections

Have a common party-wide general election to elect leaders into power. Skip the current process where there are various levels and tiers.

The present system only involves a certain few who have the time and money and in the process, ‘marginalise’ the majority.

Get all members to vote for their division chief, their vice-president, president, etc all at once. This will in return will make the members feel that they can make a difference and they feel involved in the electing of their leaders.

Once you have the party’s base ‘electrified’, then you will see a change in the party. Currently, members of the party feel their leaders are not chosen by them but are the product of a system that breeds corruption and abuse.

By having only these two changes, you can have the reform needed. Politicians will have to be closer to the party base, they will have to be more on their toes, they will have to be more accountable and not have the elitist mentality which they are accustomed to having in the current Umno.

Change has to come to Umno and some of the current leaders from the division-level to the president may lose their rank.

It’s a numbers game and if you can involve more members to be involved in the process then the feeling of belonging is there.

It’s a hard sacrifice that the Umno leadership has to make so that the party becomes more relevant to the new voters.

What is needed is a strong leader to shove the reforms top down as it looks unlikely that the Umno chieftains and warlords will risk giving up their powers.