Malaysia PM In Deeper Crisis As Two Cabinet Ministers Seek Leadership Reforms

Two Cabinet ministers have endorsed demands by ruling party dissidents to hold an open contest for the party leadership, highlighting the prime minister's weakening control over power in Malaysia after disastrous election results.

The Star daily Monday quoted International Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin as saying that everybody should be eligible to run for the post of the United Malays National Organization party's president.

At present, a contestant must be nominated by 30 percent of the party's divisions, which is hard to secure by someone not endorsed by the party leadership. The party president automatically becomes the prime minister.

The nomination quota encourages an "unhealthy political culture," Muhyiddin, who is the party vice president, was quoted as saying. I hope that with the abolition, the party at all levels will have a healthy democratic election system," the daily quoted Muhyiddin as saying.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is facing the biggest crisis of his political career after the March 8 general elections, in which the ruling National Front retained power but lost its traditional two-thirds majority. It also conceded five states to the opposition.

Being the dominant party in the coalition, Abdullah's United Malays National Organization took most of the blame for the losses. The pressure on Abdullah increased after critics called on him to resign, a demand he rejected.

He also postponed party elections, which were due in August, until December. But it will be difficult for a challenger to dislodge Abdullah in the elections because of the quota system, which was introduced by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1987 after he narrowly survived a challenge by then-Finance Minister Razaleigh Hamzah.

Mahathir, now an ordinary party member, is one of those calling for abolishing the quota system. Among the others is Razaleigh, who has openly declared he will try to challenge Abdullah.

Critics say the quota system ensures that members dissatisfied with the prime minister's leadership cannot challenge him democratically. Supporters say it is necessary to ensure only serious candidates contest.

Muhyiddin also said the quota system for top party posts was unnecessary, The Star said.

He and Muhyiddin claimed they had opposed it when it was introduced by Mahathir but failed. Muhyiddin stressed that his call did not mean he was against the current leadership or was encouraging members to challenge the president, The Star said.

Aides to Khaled and Muhyiddin confirmed they made the comments. The aides declined to be identified citing protocol.

Abandoning the system would also mean changing the party constitution, which can only be done at an extraordinary general meeting. Party leaders have so far rejected calls for such a meeting. (International Herald Tribune)

***** Many of those who worry for the future of the country also worry for the future of Pak Lah. While he has been blamed for Umno's debacle in the last polls, it cannot be denied that he has in many ways eased the intolerance and stifling controls of government which was the hallmark of Dr Mahathir's rule. We could during Abdullah's premiership, at least breath easy and voice out our fears, unhappiness and disdain without trepidation. The crackdown on Hindraf and Bersih being the sad exceptions.

The question that should be answered by those who are buoyed by Umno's current predicament, ecstatic at Pak Lah's present discomfiture and clamouring for the PM's withdrawal from politics is, 'after Pak Lah, who?' Will any of the current bunch of Umno warriors and warlords who still spout the old clarion call of 'bangsa, agama dan negara' be acceptable? Do we really need the corrupt, racist and parochial baggage that each of them carries proudly and unflinchingly?

Realistically speaking Umno isn't simply going to drift into oblivion any time soon. It's only a matter of a few years before they recover and claw their way back to power, especially if Barisan Rakyat were, God forbid, to unravel over time. Do we want to witness an Umno renaissance and see the same type of injustice, discrimination and war-mongering being perpetrated on hapless citizens as has been happening these past several decades? If the answer is no, then all of the current crop of corrupt Umno race-baiters including Najib, Muhyiddin, Rustam, Muhd Md Taib, Hishamuddin et al should be prevented from rising up the Umno hierarchy. A tall order, but definitely in the best interest of the nation and her citizens.

So who'll be left to pick up the baton and oversee the emergence of an uncorrupt, more benevolent and less chauvinistic Umno? Shahrir Samad? Zaid Ibrahim? I don't know. Do you?
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