Rais: Umno is not guilty, but its people are

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim has characterised the book 'Umno: End of a Dream' ("Umno: Akhir Sebuah Impian") by former information minister Mohamed Rahmat as portraying the true face of the ruling party.

He said in launching the book yesterday that Mohamed, who had 50 years of political experience, relates his experiences with fellow politicians who were faced with turbulence and shifting struggles in Umno earlier on.

"He also compares his service as a former parliamentarian with current MPs and state assemblymen.

"So from his experiences we see Umno has gone from era to era and reached a stage where Umno has to make assessment towards a stronger direction," Rais told reporters after launching the book with Mohamed at the Equatorial Hotel.

The book also, Rais said, prods readers to think about the meaning of sacrifice and struggle of a politician who is willing to sacrifice for what is important in party building.

‘Public does not hate Umno’

Meanwhile, Mohamed said the book covers several important events that he was involved in directly in the development of Umno and the problems faced by the party.

"What is most important that I say in the book is that Umno is not guilty, but only its people are. People say the public hates Umno... no, the public does not hate Umno," he said.

He said one worrisome matter was when some party members continuously launch campaigns to hate leaders, adding that this was bad for Umno.

Mohamed, who had held the post of Umno secretary-general from 1988 till 1996, said no Umno leader was free from hate campaigns to bring them down.

He said besides Umno's struggles, his book also touches on the 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime Minister Najib Razak as a very good idea.

"For too long the nation's people have been split and it is a serious matter and we hope the 1Malaysia concept can bring people together. Let’s think as Malaysians, feel as Malaysians and act as Malaysians," he said.

The 170-page book is being sold for RM30.

- Bernama