Umno General Assembly. What Delegates Should NOT Do.

The Umno general assembly next week is expected to be a "hot" affair with the delegates debating on the party, Malay and national issues, said Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin, who is also Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, said that the Umno leadership would not stop delegates from voicing their opinions.

"Our general assemblies have never been a tame affair. I merely hope we can control our emotions this time around. Let's debate in a family spirit," he told reporters after chairing his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting, here Wednesday.

It was the right of Umno members to present their views but to voice them out in the right way without advancing any hidden agenda, he said, adding that their tones should be moderate in reflecting the Malay custom.

Muhyiddin asked the delegates not to harbour any ill feelings after the assembly as some could be slighted by unbecoming comments by certain speakers.

He also asked the Umno delegates, who are given the opportunity to take to the floor, to place multiracial unity uppermost in their minds. "Whether we like it or not, we cannot side-step the people's unity under the Malay leadership," he said.

**** This is probably the best advice that I've heard from Muhyiddin. In fact his reminder is timely now that Dr Mahathir has decided that he will be attending the Umno general assembly. There are probably two broad areas for the delegates to keep in mind.

First is that they are there to debate and as Muhyiddin says "not to advance any hidden agenda." The financial stakes are so high now for Umno leaders that every single one of those attending will have primarily one thing in mind - "What's in it for me? How much can I profit from this?" And in order to get the best deal they have to outdo each other. Unfortunately in Umno, the more radical and extreme they sound, the better are their chances of being noticed and going up the ladder. Even established 'leaders' like Hishamuddin had to wield a sword and say things he probably doesn't mean. Then there is Badruddin Amiruldin, a 55 year old, aging circus clown from Yan who will crack his stale, dated and unfunny jokes that the simpletons in Umno still find humorous. But sometimes interspersed with it are vicious xenophobic messages.

Disparaging their leaders, past and present, during their five minutes of fame at the assembly should not be considered as a criteria for bravery and uprightness. It is only a sign of bad upbringing and disrespect for age, seniority and experience. Criticism is fine but not humiliation. I'm having the presence of Tun Dr Mahathir at the assembly in mind, as I write this. All said and done, he is a past leader of our country and in many ways a national icon and the most recognisable and respected Malaysian on the planet. Let not some kurang ajar type delegate try to advance his career by attempting to humiliate or menyindir the Tun with any sort of fitnah. Those who regularly read this blog know that I don't hold a torch for Dr M. (As I write this, news has just come in that Dr Mahathir had suffered a mild heart attack at home this morning and has been admitted to the IJN and his condition is reported to be stable.)

Secondly, opportunistic delegates should be cautioned not to go overboard with unbecoming, hostile, adverse remarks on non-Malays which always seems to receive the most applause. Remember unless you come from the most ulu of places and intend to remain there till kingdom come, you have no choice but to interact with them the moment you step outside your home. So don't go blowing your own horn and threaten, imply or allude to those who are not your party men or of your race and religion. Don't attempt to demonize them in order to secure your progress within the party. Be judged by your merit and your industriousness and not by your ability to rabble-rouse and stir shit. It doesn't take talent or genius to do the latter.

Above all be aware that you are a citizen of this country first and only then are you a member of a political party. Therefore do always have the welfare of this multiracial nation above everything else and speak and act accordingly.