It appears that we are now teetering close to the edge of an abyss, and behind us are towering mountains. In a situation such as this, we have no choice. To move towards the abyss, would mean to fall forever.

Although painting a bleak scenario, Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin is convinced that his party will rise once again.

azlan In his opening speech at the party wings' annual assembly in Kuala Lumpur tonight, Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, acknowledged that Umno is now dwelling in trying times.

"What has been described as a political tsunami during the March 2008 general election has created a traumatic experience which has yet to subside in some.

"It is as if we are at the crossroads of an era of madness as described by the scholar Ronggowarsito in his work called 'Jaman Edan'," he added.

In an obvious swipe at the opposition, Muhyiddin said the effects of the 'era of madness' can be felt now where the public is served with slander and lies to the point that confusion and deception reign.

"Rumours, provocation, false stories and sensational news are deliberately created to incite hatred towards the enemy.

"The people find it hard to tell the difference between truth and falsehood, between good and bad. In the end, truth become lies and lies become the truth," he added.

Muhyiddin said this is the work of the "hands that belong to those who inflict damage" in the name of freedom, equality and religion.

He claimed that this group becomes arrogant when God tests them by placing a little power on their shoulders.

"So they parade on the streets, challenge the voice of democracy, criticise the judiciary and the police, and take to task the Election Commission when the decisions do not favour them.

"They do not feel sinful when they purportedly speak about justice and Islam, but continue to challenge and demolish their Islamic values," he said.

Change has begun

As for Umno, Muhyiddin said he is certain that the party wants to change, has started the process of change, and will continue to change for the good.

umno 57th agm puteri umno 141106 puteri members Umno, he stressed, will not remain static or frozen but rather keep abreast with the changing times for it is an issue of survival.

"We are aware that if we are not prepared to change, Umno will be changed," he said, repeating what Umno president Najib Abdul Razak had said.

Muhyiddin also told party delegates from the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings that change and relevancy are linked.

"There is no point in changing when we fail to make Umno relevant. So Umno must be relevant to understand the voice, language, style and nuances of new politics.

"Umno must represent the voice of the Malays, bumiputera and the entire rakyat," he added.

BN partners must follow suit

On that note, he also stressed that it is not only Umno which must transform, but also BN component parties.

"We must be prepared to carry out an in-depth transformation to reach new heights in understanding to strengthen the ties between the component parties.

"This understanding must be based on acceptance and respect that diversity is a source of strength as underlined by our prime minister in the 1Malaysia concept," he said.

The Umno deputy president also reminded the delegates that democracy does not recognise past records of achievements and struggles.

"A party that has done much good and which is powerful can also collapse if it is no longer accepted by the people," he said.

Citing the examples of Golkar in Indonesia and the Nacionalista Party in the Philippines, he added that the most recent case is the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan.

"What caused the downfall of these parties?" he asked.

"Did the people have different needs and aspirations than what could be offered by the parties? Or did these parties become arrogant and its leaders greedy because of holding on to power for too long?" he added.

Umno shall rise again

However, Muhyiddin is certain that just like the Congress Party in India and the Kuomintang in Taiwan, Umno and Barisan Nasional will rise once again and regain their glory.

NONE "Umno can face this challenge and fulfill a new hope. This is because Umno is a pragmatic party which can adapt quickly and is bold enough to make changes," he said.

Muhyiddin also thanked God that Umno and BN are still in power at the federal level although failing to achieve the two-third majority in Parliament and losing several states in the last general election.

"This episode should not dampen our fighting spirit. We have gone through some tragic chapters. But every struggle that we endure makes us stronger," he said.