Former information minister Rais Yatim has raised alarm bells on the need for change in Umno, following similar warnings by former cabinet colleagues Syed Hamid Albar and Zainuddin Maidin .

Rais told Astro Awani yesterday that the traditional approach adopted by Umno in explaining issues to quell public disquiet is no longer applicable.

"Umno has used traditional methods to deal with externalities. Umno's dissemination efforts are no longer effective.

"Government explanation efforts, on the other hand, are unable to cool things down because the explanations given do not satisfy the majority.

"More than 2,000 information department officers are no longer given work explanatory duties like before.

"Now they just sit in the office to read newspapers or occasionally set up loudspeakers (organise events) for VIPs," he said.

Old Umno disease

Rais, who is an Umno veteran, also opined that party president Najib Abdul Razak needs to undertake drastic measures to improve his administrative style.

"People around Najib can't help. In fact, there is a vice-president who is calling for change.

"The old Umno disease is rearing its head again," he said.

Rais was likely referring to Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is the most senior Umno office bearer to have urged Najib to provide proper explanations to questions raised by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Since April 2, Mahathir has been hounding Najib for answers on the Altantuya Shariibuu murder, the 1Malaysia Development Bhd controversy, his links with Jho Low and the source of his wealth.

This prompted Najib to appear in a rare televised interview. However, most of the key issues raised by Mahathir were not answered .