Former Umno supreme council member Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said today that Umno members should be allowed to express their opinions or even criticise the party when necessary.

Abdul Kadir, who is also Amanah deputy president, in a series of interviews, said that not even 10 percent of leeway provided past Umno leaders of the 60s and 70s to criticise the party exists now.

He said Umno leaders then were more vocal and the comments made were strong and bitter against party leaders and government at that time.

“But Umno and its leaders at that time faithfully stuck to the spirit that Umno was created to be a truly democratic party.

“I am quite confident a lot of these opinions expressed can actually be helpful in strengthening the party and its struggle.

"Even Umno president Najib and other leaders have also gone around the country shouting ‘we must change, otherwise we will be changed’,” he added.

Abdul Kadir questioned if “those bad habits need to be changed,  which the rakyat are so angry about.”

“Who has to change. Are these only the Umno members or should it also include its leaders?”

Abdul Kadir said he had held various positions in Umno since 1956, and was a political secretary, parliamentary secretary, deputy minister and a minister.

“Surely I would have acquired some knowledge and experience and thereby have earned the right to give a bit of my opinions.

“I therefore urge the relevant parties to consider carefully all my opinions expressed. I do feel that if these are implemented, it will bring a lot of good for everybody both in the short and long run,” he added.

Some of his suggestions and opinions for the betterment of Umno include:

  • Stop and abolish all types of bribery and corruption, including political corruption whereby one has to pay money to fellow party members to be elected to various posts; and
  • Stop the bribing of the rakyat by the government and party  to be popular and to win in the country’s upcoming election. There are many other ways to be popular and win the polls  without corrupting our people’s value system and way of life.

“Believe me, it is not only people in the country but the international community too is watching us,” he said.

Abdul Kadir also called on the socio-economic agenda of the bumiputeras to be truly implemented.

“Do not blame the Chinese community or the Chinese political parties for their failure to bring up the socio-economic position of the bumiputeras to its rightful and just position. We have had more than 50 years to do that,” he said.

And to the disciplinary committe of Umno, Abdul Kadir said there was no need to investigate him because he will be sending them the full text of the said interviews, “which are not edited in anyway”.