Musa Hitam: Umno to gain in polls with softer leader

comments     Yap Mun Ching and Steven Gan     Published     Updated

The softer image of incoming prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the lack of proper opposition alternatives are among the factors that will help Umno do better in the next general election, said former deputy premier Musa Hitam.

He said the upcoming leadership transition will persuade voters to give Umno and Abdullah a chance at government after more than 20 years under the premiership of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"I think it will be better (for Umno)... One opposition leader came to my house and said to me: 'Musa, I think we are going to have a problem because Mahathir is leaving. No more punching bag'," quipped Musa during an interview with malaysiakini last week, the first part of which appeared yesterday.

"Abdullah is taking over. It is the Malaysian mentality - kasi chan lah (give him a break). Abdullah also has a softer image. It has always been the issue of style. Even in the case of my quarrel with Mahathir, it was over the manner in which things were done."

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