An emotional Dr Mahathir Mohamad today pleaded with Umno delegates attending the party's one-day special assembly to reject corruption for the benefit of their future generations.

Making the oft-heard plea, Mahathir said that unless something was done to stop money politics in Umno, there will be a day where a future party president and the country's prime minister will buy their positions through corruption and bribery.

He said corrupt practices were becoming rampant in the party, and asked the delegates to gather sufficient evidence on those who practise corruption and expose them to the public.

Mahathir was addressing 2,023 delegates who attended the special general assembly which is held to pass several amendments to the party constitution.

The amendments are primarily aimed to attract young members to the party to rejuvenate and make it more relevant to the Malays.

Mahathir again warned that the "colonisers" were waiting to take control of the country with help of some locals whom he termed as traitors.

"Just for some financial and political gains, are we ready to sell our country and race?" asked Mahathir.

"I have persuaded, pleaded, cried and prayed. Now we are trying to amend our (party) constitution (to check corrupt practices)," he said.

He, however, added that there were many who were sceptical on any amendments to the party constitution.

Young blood

He said that Umno needed to incorporate changes to enable the younger generation to take over the running as well as the struggles of the party.

"New members will have different ideas from old members but the basic struggle must be the same. The introduction of new members as soon as possible will ensure that they fully appreciate and comprehend the party struggle," he added.

Among the amendments proposed are to set up a new movement called Puteri Umno and to abolish the provision that only allows a member of five years' standing to be selected to contest in the general elections.

Mahathir also said that Puteri Umno is proposed as some younger female members were uncomfortable working alongside other senior Wanita leaders.

"They (the younger members) are not confident they can voice out their opinions or influence the Wanita movement. This is why a new channel is being opened for them," he said.

He said that the formation of the new body will not deter any members from joining straight the Wanita movement, and denied that the body had to be set up due to restrictions on younger female members joining the Wanita movement.

Mahathir also said that amendments were also needed to make it easier for new members to join Umno.

He, however, said that the easier format would not mean that "anyone could join Umno to destroy it, as has been tried by some quarters."

To save party

Mahathir said he realised that the amendments had some weaknesses, and at one point did say that he too was sceptical that they could work.

However, he added that members should give these amendments a chance to work towards a better Umno.

"These amendments could bring about changes that will destroy all the bad practices in Umno. It could save and strengthen the party," he said.

The proposals were tabled by party vice-president and chairman of the Amendments Committee, Muhyiddin Yassin, who expressed confidence that the proposals will be supported by the delegates.

"The proposals came from them and the grassroots. The Supreme Council is only tabling the proposals on the behalf of the lower-level leaders," he told reporters after Mahathir's opening speech.

Proposals

A popular proposal which is expected to be passed resoundingly is one which calls for the elections at all levels - branch, division and supreme council - to be held at the same time.

At present these elections are held in staggered sessions.

Other proposals include the abolishment of the conditions for a member to contest for a party post - this is to allow new members to have every opportunity to be active in the party, thereby encouraging more to join the party.

Another proposal is to make it compulsory for members to register as voters when they reach the age of 21 and vote in the general elections, with the aim of ensuring that members exercise their responsibility towards the party.

It has also been proposed that the Supreme Council be empowered to create a disciplinary board, on top of its present powers to appoint a disciplinary committee.

The new board will have the same powers as the committee and will consist of members who do not hold any position in the party and do not have any interest to ensure decisions are made fairly.

One controversial proposal concerning the extension of the Supreme Council member's tenure in office from three to some five years (to coincide with a Parliamentary term) was, however, not proceeded with following a decision by the Supreme Council a few days ago as the proposal attracted much criticism and many protests from the grassroots.

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