No balls?

The Straits Times | JULY 5, 2004
C-word gives Umno leaders the jitters
The word 'contest' is on many lips but any bid to challenge incumbents for top party posts is being nipped in the bud

By Reme Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR - One word causes much nervousness among Umno leaders these days: contest.

It's a word that has been on many lips as the party's 191 divisions hunker down for key elections and nominations from next weekend onwards.

The process culminates in a General Assembly where delegates will vote in the senior rungs of party leadership.

Datuk Rafidah Aziz, the chief of the Umno women's division (Wanita), precipitated the debate on contests when she said those who had just joined the wing should not contest for posts until three years later.

Her comments were aimed at former members of the young women's division (Puteri Unmo) clamouring to challenge her leadership.

The Wanita and Puteri wings have not seen eye to eye for several years. Puteri members have no option but to join Wanita once they turn 35.

Datuk Rafidah's point was that bitter fights could split Malaysia's biggest party.

But that did not sit well with party elders, who said contests were healthy proof that democracy was alive in Umno.

That view prevailed until former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah shattered the calm once again with the C-word.

The Kelantan prince hinted last Thursday that if he mustered enough support, he was ready to stand against the party president, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, or the No. 2, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

This caused a stir because the Umno Supreme Council, the party's highest decision-making body, had ruled that Datuk Seri Abdullah and his deputy would not be challenged for their seats.

'If there are those who feel that I can still serve and contribute to the party, why not? If there are nominations, I will offer myself for a post that suits me,' Tengku Razaleigh said.

Almost always enigmatic in his political aspirations in the last few years, he declined to say which post he was aiming for. But to many, the hint was clear enough.

He uttered another political blasphemy in these days of party amity and unity bolstered by the massive win in March general election.

He said it was time to kill a 17-year-old rule that blocks a leader from contesting key party posts unless he gets nominated by many divisions.

This rule sets a quota of divisional nominations that candidates for different posts must obtain before they can enter the ring.

Those aiming to be president must get at least 30 per cent of nominations, those standing for the post of deputy president must secure 20 per cent and finally those wanting the vice-president posts must secure 10 per cent of the nominations.

But this time, party elders who had cheered for democracy and forced Datuk Seri Rafidah to back down turned against Tengku Razaleigh.

Free-for-all contests could split the party, they declared.

'There is no reason and justification to change leaders at this point because the people have given a big mandate to the leadership,' said incumbent Umno vice-president Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

These leaders have long memories.

They pointed to the 1987 Umno presidential fight between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh which split the party into two.

The prince bolted with thousands to form a splinter party, Semangat 46, that helped Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) wrest Kelantan away from Umno in 1990.

It was this bitter Mahathir-Razaleigh fight that led to the party's quota rule.

The prince has since rejoined Umno and Semangat 46 has been shut down.

Both Datuk Seri Abdullah and his deputy said members could decide if they wanted to scrap the quota system.

To some, the nervousness about contests showed that Umno was less than democratic as it blocked challenges even from a 66-year-old prince - described in a New Straits Times column as 'yesterday's man'.

Said a grassroots leader: 'Datuk Seri Abdullah will win hands down even if there is a contest. So why is everyone so worried about a fight?'

To this, a columnist in government-friendly Berita Minggu said: 'Even with the quota system, those who are qualified would not be stopped. Only aspiring candidates who are doubtful in their capabilities in getting nominations would feel uneasy and worried.'

The debate continues.


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