Umno deputy president aspirant Muhammad Muhd Taib said the party must undergo restoration process in order to attract Malays back into its fold.

This involves bringing Malay associations and NGOs - such as associations for taxi drivers, fishermen, farmers, youths, village chiefs and business groups - into the party.

umno supreme council special meeting 260809 muhammad mohd taib “Maybe we can call this an ‘Umno plus plus’ initiative,” he told Bernama in an interview published today.

Elaborating, Muhammad said such a restoration process requires the party to listen to opinions from youths and yet remain steadfast to the party’s original struggle.

“I am talking about a restoration ala the Meiji Restoration which brought about changes in Japan's political scenario about 150 years ago.

“Japan at that time was under the Shogun and there was war. The Shogunate was toppled and the imperial rule restored and all the good values such as education and loyalty to king were brought back,” he said.

‘Consider my track record’

He adds that non-Malays will admire Umno for this because this will help to ensure that Chinese and Tamil school systems remain intact.

“It will be an Umno that is fair, a party that gives opportunities to all races,” he said.

Asked about his chances in the coming party polls, Muhammad did not answer outright but urged delegates to study his track record.

“I created Malay towns in Selangor - Shah Alam, Bangi and Damansara,” said the former Selangor menteri besar.

Muhammad is a strong contender for the number two spot in Umno after frontrunner Mohd Ali Rustam was disqualified from contesting on Tuesday.