Umno infested with 'crocs and sharks'

Former Umno vice-president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah did not mince his words today in his all-out attack against the party leadership in his speech at his Gua Musang division's special meeting.

He lamented that the party suffered from the perception that it no longer cares for the poor, that it has become a party of 'Malay fanatics' and that its leaders are corrupt.

Tengku Razaleigh divided these perceptions into three broad categories.

From the Malay viewpoint, he said, the party is seen as no longer struggling for Malay rights and is not concerned about the Malay language, culture and the economic well-being of the poor in the community.

Apart from this, he said, the Malays are also concerned over the lack of commitment in Umno to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the Malay royal institution.

As for the non-Malays, Razaleigh - in an obvious reference to Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein - said: "Umno is seen as a party made up of ‘Malay fanatics’ who, for unknown reasons, like to brandish the keris when scolding other races."

The third perception, according to him, is that Umno is a party which encouraged money politics or an entity which is ‘rich at the top and poor at the bottom’.

"A party which is corrupt, infested with ‘buaya darat’ (land dwelling crocodiles) and ‘yu-yu laut’ (sharks) who have no qualms about sweeping up and swallowing projects and government contracts as well as the rights of the poor of all races.

"This image is hated by all races, not only the Malays," said the former Umno vice-president.

Tengku Razaleigh said Umno must change or cleanse itself of these negative images. "The party must be trusted by the Malays and non-Malays alike," he added.

Razaleigh also noted that in the recently concluded elections, many Chinese and Indians were seen flying the PAS flag and had voted for the Islamic party’s candidates in Umno strongholds.

"Why? Have they been put under a spell or Islamicised by PAS people? No. They did it because they believe that PAS, based on Islamic principles, is fairer than Umno to non-Malays.

"They say PAS people fear God, so they are afraid to tell lies or commit sin against God’s creations, regardless of race and religion.

"They say (PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan menteri besar) Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz is better, cleaner and more trustworthy than most of the Umno Kelantan leaders."

In the polls, BN failed to wrest Kelantan from PAS and lost four additional states to the opposition.

Meanwhile, Razaleigh also criticised the arrogant behaviour of several Umno candidates during the general election.

"They were arrogant and talked big. One Umno parliamentary candidate told the media that his objective is to ensure that his contender loses his deposit. This (Umno) candidate suffered a terrible defeat, the Malay voters taught him (a lesson).

"In Kelantan, we heard about how a parliamentary candidate close to the top powers in KL used rude words against PAS, especially Nik Aziz.

"In fact, the entire Umno machinery (in the state) was moved to launch a ‘crusade-like attack’ against PAS. The style was similar to what (George W) Bush is doing to Islamic countries.

"I understand that PAS is Umno’s rival. But this is not the way Malay-Muslims try to defeat their rivals from the same race and religion. We were not taught how to entice the enemy. We appeared to be using the culture and tactics or gangsters.

"In the end, we lost. Not because Umno policies are not good, but because Umno people are not good and they are the ones who ruined the party’s image."

Razaleigh argued that this increasingly rude behaviour stemmed from several factors, among them, being overconfident of the party’s strength.

Secondly, he said, the market economy or capitalistic economy has become an Umno political tool to enrich certain people in the party, for the benefit of the leadership and not the people at large or the party grassroots.

"The Malay spirit in Umno people has been replaced with the ‘spirit of the stomach’. Money has become the political plaything and power in Umno."

In summing up his speech, Razaleigh said it is because of the abovementioned reasons that he is pushing for an Umno EGM to be held at the national level before the party’s annual general assembly, which will also witness the party polls, takes place from Dec 16-20.

"We don’t want the delegates coming to the assembly in the same old mould, not knowing what are the weaknesses and problems in Umno and thus electing, or being told to elect, the same weak leaders.

"If that is to happen, I am worried that a bigger disaster would be in store for us."


Razaleigh's full speech

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