Q&A: Umno needs electoral reform

Umno supreme council member Syed Hamid Albar suggests reforms in the party including doing away with the quota system and increasing the number of its vice-presidents from three to five.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Syed Hamid, who is also the home minister, argued that Umno should adopt a fresh strategy in electing the party's top leaders.

Below is part of the transcript of the hour-long interview:

How do you rate your chances in the vice-presidency race?

I have not rated my chances as yet because I've got to get enough nominations (first).

You think you can get enough?

I believe I can get (the required nominations) but let me wait for this weekend.

Your colleague, Rais Yatim, said that he has been asked to pay for votes, and that there is such expectation (from among Umno delegates).

When every time my name did not come out (in the nomination process), they told me (about) that (the vote buying)... I myself gone through a lot of difficulties every time I want to contest because I believe that corruption, abuse of power, money politics - we should fight (them) all the way.

So what is the reason you want stand for the VP post?

I am offering my long years of service and experience. And I think that I can contribute something.

Yes, I am not amongst the young generation but I think I understand the aspiration of the young generation. If you want to provide continuity then you must have interplay between current (new leaders) and people who are going to transcend (generations) in the context of today's politics.

So if they choose, for example, on the basis on performance, on the basis of experience then I think I stand a good chance but if they are driven by some other reasons, then I do not think I stand a chance.

How do you see the situation in Umno? You think there is a place for you?

A lot of people told me - whether it is true or not, I do not know - they say that ‘you are difficult (in winning) because you do not have the means or resources'.

But I think I will be failing in my duty as a Malaysian and as an Umno member if I do not try because I think I got lots that I can contribute...

I think that unless we can fight effectively against corruption or money politics or any form of bribery and the use of the position of office for getting positions, then Malaysia would (have) serious problems.

But this is not only (affecting) the government party - I think the new parties are also subjected to all sort of temptations.

You are fighting an uphill battle (against corruption) because it is so ingrained. There is talk of RM250 million being dumped into the campaign, and if you are not spending money...

I think Malaysians must, at the end, look at the values - I think we must inculcate values.

If everybody who thinks they can contribute ... start to withdraw and think they cannot get (votes/nominations/support), you are leaving a vacuum. So I think even if you think you cannot do it, we should offer ourselves...

But I still believe (in contesting) as every time I go in, I always get about 600 to 700 votes (and) I hope I get more this time in order to win, so there is still hope.

But I think if you want to get rid of money politics and corruption - at the governmental level, we are bringing in an independent anti-corruption commission which upgrades the level of independence.

But as far as Umno is concern, I think we must get rid of this (quota) - I, from the beginning, never agreed to this quota.

People want to contest, they contest and they can contest (with) no need for money - they can campaign but they must not use money in order to influence. Using of money, no one can object because the world is monetised. But you must not use it for the purposes of winning votes or influence. That, I think, is abhorrence.

Is there enough support in Umno for the removal of quota system?

Immediately, we cannot do it. If you amend anything, you need to present it to the registrar (of societies). (But) generally, I think there is consensus.

What is your position in regards to vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin's suggestion that the general assembly should be brought forward to December?

No, people will think we are fickle if we keep changing it (the dates).

We have moved it forward, we have delayed it, but I think, in this particular case, is not something that is usual. It is because of the special circumstances - the transition of power - which was why it was deferred.

The (original) date was fixed by Pak Lah (Umno president Abdullah Badawi) and it was tabled at the supreme council and we all agreed (to hold the general assembly) in December.

But because of the transition, which was first in 2010 then brought forward, they just want to make sure that the precedence ... (of) giving dignity to the outgoing premier - that is why it was deferred...

I know a lot of people complain about the strain (of the five-month campaign) because it is a long time but this is not usual - this is a transfer of power.

You cannot complain about your job... If you give party more importance, then you should not be in the government. My priority has always been, if you cannot balance (your work) then you have to opt out of one or the other.

So you are not in favour of having it in December?

No, we have already decided. It was tabled at the supreme council. It was the decision of the prime minister or the deputy prime minister. It was debated by the top members of the supreme council. It was first discussed in the management committee, then they table it to us and we debated about it.

And now is the time for us to move forward, Pak Lah is definitely going (to quit).

Isn't Muhyiddin in the management committee?

Yes, even Pak Lah is not inside (the committee). It was not discussed at the political committee where Pak Lah is the chairman. It was discussed in the management committee...

There will be a new prime minister - there should be euphoria. There will be a lot of changes - there might even be a lot of changes to the vice-president (posts)... So definitely, three new vice-presidents. It is going to be interesting times.

Should the number of vice-presidents be increased?

I believed so. I have always suggested that - MCA has four and I think the four is very good, and Gerakan or MCA also got appointed vice-presidents - people whom they consider as important must be given the necessary position.

I think Umno has to relook at this, even our structure of elections - (where) 2,500 to 3,000 people (get) to elect the leaders of Umno and (determine) the future of the country.

I think it (the election) should be more grassroots-based. There should be election at the division level. So at the division meeting, they vote for the candidate...

You want to increase (vice-president posts) from three to how many?

My view is that because of our (vice-president) numbers and our responsibility, it would be very nice if we have about five.

The minimum, four, and then two appointed (posts) to represent certain groups. With that sort of thing, people would be less keen to politicking.

Is there a push for this?

We have got what we call a secretariat to look at how best we should revive Umno's strength.

Now the post of Youth chief or Wanita chief automatically becomes vice-president.

From the start, I don't agree (with that) but if you do not agree, it is very difficult.

I believe that the Youth chief is there by virtue of being Youth chief. They should not be by interpretation become vice-president. Wanita should be Wanita, Puteri should be Puteri - they represent their wing. (But) politically, it may not be good for you to suggest that.

Pemuda (Youth) represents about 30 percent (of party members), but they automatically become vice-president.

Yes, they become vice president but they are not entitled to direct succession.

Will all these reforms and changes be discussed at the next general assembly?

I think that the general assembly also needs to be reformatted because to me the general assembly is a general assembly. I remember during my father's time, people would just raise their hands to speak. People would just talk what they are supposed to talk.

I remember when I was a delegate, they asked me to talk, and they asked me, ‘What you are going to talk'. But I said, ‘Don't ask me. What I'm going to talk, I do not know'.

Part 2
Syed Hamid defends Hindraf ban
Q&A: Home ministers 'burn' themselves for society

Part 3
Syed Hamid: Utusan 'given warning'
Q&A: I don't need sympathy, I need understanding