YOURSAY | Umno AGM: When leaders' priorities go wrong

YOURSAY | 'Leadership calls for dignity, not cheap personal shots.'

Zahid's body barbs draw 'sexist' fire from Kasthuri, but Noraini wasn't his only target

PinkMarlin6024: That's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the head honcho of Umno, for all Malaysians to see.

He is crude, crass and utterly unbecoming of someone who occupies such a prominent position in our nation's political landscape. Leadership demands more than power, position and political manoeuvring. It calls for dignity, restraint and respect for others.

When a political leader resorts to language or conduct that falls so far short of these standards, it reflects poorly not only on the individual but also on the institution he leads.

Malaysians deserve leaders who elevate public discourse, uphold the dignity of their office and inspire confidence through their words and actions. Political leadership should be a source of pride, not embarrassment.

DrKam: If you want to be prime minister, show us your principles, convictions, policies, leadership, and vision for Malaysia. If you cannot challenge others on those grounds, attacking appearance, body shape, or facial features says far more about the weakness of your political argument than it does about those you make fun of.

And the "guru" jibe? That seems to have spectacularly backfired. This referred to his policy speech, where Zahid took a jibe at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by borrowing the viral TikTok catchphrase "guru, hentikan, guru" (teacher, stop it, teacher).

While not mentioning Anwar's name, it is understood that Zahid was playing on their often-described teacher-student relationship that gained attention following a leaked recording of their phone conversation in 2021.

A prospective prime minister should offer Malaysians a better vision for the country - not prove how good he is at cheap personal shots. Is this really the calibre of leadership Malaysians want in Putrajaya?

Coward: To Zahid’s daughter Nurul Hidayah: your father is a grown man. He can do his own apology. He doesn't need you to do it for him. Save your energy to persuade him to do the right thing.

To Zahid: stop hiding behind your daughter - be man enough to admit you made a mistake and promise to stop your behaviour. For the layman in public, it is "low" behaviour. However, as a leader, your conduct is at minimum called bullying, and at worst, an abuse of power.

Lone_Star: When the president can crack jokes, why not Sepang? The good daughter had to apologise to the Wanita Umno chief with the standard "if anyone was hurt" apology.

Former DAP MP Kasthuri Patto just needs to make sure DAP men do not crack such jokes. As for Zahid, is he advertising or acting as the spokesperson for Ozempic and/or Mounjaro?

To the Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad, sincere and unconditional apologies on behalf of the uncouth DPM who appears to be on a high. Take care and stay healthy.

No wonder Zahid has not commented on the Catholic joke by Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said. He has not apologised on Sepang's behalf nor asked Sepang to apologise for the offensive joke. The good daughter is better; she did not mention Sepang's joke but at least gave the usual "if" apology on her papa's behalf to the Wanita Umno chief.

Apanama is back: "Cakap merepek dulu, minta maaf kemudian" (utter nonsense now, ask forgiveness later) or "Buat lawak bodoh dulu, minta maaf kemudian" (make silly jokes now, say sorry later). This is another reason why the incompetent Zahid should be voted out in Bagan Datuk.

Imagine if he were PM and kept making demeaning jokes about women - he would just hide behind "it was only a joke" when the real intention is to demean. That is his and his ilk's pattern.

Umno Baru is infamous for mocking others to show the party is supreme, but it has turned into a useless and corrupt outfit.

Mechi: What did this Umno assembly achieve? Petty, superficial comments that don't merit any print. I was hoping the 6,800 or so delegates would be debating economic development, education, raising Malaysia's profile, climate change issues, corruption, and attracting foreign investment.

Sadly, the priorities were completely wrong. Where is the leadership heading? It is really sad to see the direction Malaysia is being led in - wasted opportunities and resources. What is wrong with these people?

Headhunter: It seems our politicians are fixated on two things: money and the female form. Even the older ones can’t seem to resist getting caught up in these matters, bringing disgrace upon themselves and shame to their families.

LionKing: In the end, the Malays must decide which party they want to support for the good of the nation, not for personal interest. Just look at countries riddled with corruption and poor-quality leaders that have brought ruin to their people.

Nothing constructive came out of this great Umno assembly on how to progress Malaysia - just childish insults by uncouth members. Anwar should go all out on corruption with no mercy. DAP also needs a new leader.

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