Umno must change or face 'death sentence'

Umno must change before the people pass a "death sentence" on it, said Home Minister and party supreme council member Syed Hamid Albar.

He said change was timely as the party's image had been badly tarnished by cases involving members detained for alleged corruption by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"Embracing change and cleaning up the party must be discussed by the party's top leaders with members.

"Everyone, including the president and supreme council members must take responsibility so that our party is not given the death sentence," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

He said changes to be effected should also include making the party more people-friendly.

Syed Hamid warned that the party’s position as the backbone of the government could be jeopardised if it continued to be plagued by corrupt practices.

"The public demands a party that is trustworthy and has integrity and credibility," he continued.

Najib must create new interest

He said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must create a new interest and new agenda for the party when he takes over as prime minister.

The new agenda, he said, must not portray that the party was only for the elites, who were snobbish and detached from the people.

On the recent arrest of party members by the MACC, Syed Hamid said no one was above the law and the commission had the right to investigate and take action after a report was lodged.