A majority of ulama (religious scholars) did not support Umno during the March 8 general elections which saw the ruling party suffering a major setback.

umno 2009 agm 260309 02 "Where is the mistake?" asked Perak delegate Khusairi Abdul Hamid in addressing the more than 2,500 delegates attending the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Describing the ulama as an influential group, he said if the trend is allowed to continue, it will erode Umno's influence.

"We allow ' sekolah pondok ' (traditional religious schools) to be run by parents with no aid from the government," he said, adding that the government only provides licences to run the school.

So, he pointed out that it does come as a surprise that they support PAS because they are indoctrinated by the Islamic opposition party.

In view of this, Khusairi urged the government set up a professional 'Al Quran training centre' which should be fully owned by Umno.

"What's wrong with Mara doing it (setting up the school)?, what is wrong if every state has a religious school which is subsidised by the state government?" he added.

The 'traitor' in Perak

Touching on the political turmoil in Perak, Khusairi said the crisis was created by a "traitor who approves treason and holds the (state) assembly under a tree."

perak pac hearing 050309 nizar Referring to ousted Pakatan Rakyat menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, he said the 'traitor' does not respect the decision of the Perak Sultan to appoint Umno's Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new menteri besar.

"Let us bring down the traitor, make him lose in Bukit Gantang," he said, adding that the PAS leader is the menteri besar for the DAP in Perak.

Mohd Nizar is Pakatan Rakyat's candidate for the upcoming April 7 by-election in Bukit Gantang.

Meanwhile, Khusairi said Umno is ready for reformation, and reformation belongs to Umno not Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim or PKR.

He said Umno has been reforming since Malaysia obtained its independence and has kept the country peaceful and stable since.

On the other hand, Kelantan Umno delegate Mohd Zain Yasim urged the leaders in Umno and PAS to look into means of merging the parties in order to ensure the survival of the Malay community.

"The Malay community will lose power if this issue is ignored," he warned.