Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has proposed that Barisan Nasional become a single political entity.
Tengku Razaleigh, the nation’s longest serving parliamentarian and former finance minister, said he was open to discussion over a single Barisan party instead of the present 13 coalition partners system after the Sabah Progessive Party pulled out last month.
“I am suggesting that Barisan become a multi-racial party for all. Umno members can be direct members in it,” he said in an interview.
He foresees the decline of Umno unless the party “is bold and willing to accept sweeping reforms.”
He said Umno must change the people’s perception of it.
“I do not think Umno can survive the next (general) election. People are simply going for material gains for themselves and their supporters.
“People are becoming more corrupt. This is not the purpose of the party. It is for serving the people and it must be in tip-top condition.”
Anyone not here for the first time knows I’m no fan of Barisan.
On the whole though, taking into consideration the national landscape, I think such a move would be, on aggregate, good for the nation.
There are two main objections to BN: 1 – Rampant corruption, 2 – Racially divided politics.
I’m not super optimistic about Ku Li’s political future, but ideas wise, he’s not far off the mark. I think these are the type of reforms people were hoping Umno/BN would undertake after March.
When people talk of a two party system, I’m not particularly enthusiastic about keeping Barisan around in its present form. But if you remove the racially divided structure, then perhaps a Barisan that is out of power may have a small chance at reform. It may be more feasible than building a ‘third force’ from scratch, though its hard to say.
Removing structure doesn’t remove racism, but I think it’s a very important first step.
Alright, back to waiting. It’s like Sept 16 for BN today :P
Let us not forget Ku Li had a role in the BMF debacle that made Bank Bumiputra bankrupt. Just because he has been out of the limelight politically speaking does not make him any less corrupt
“But if you remove the racially divided structure, then perhaps a Barisan that is out of power may have a small chance at reform.”
Agree, real BN reforms may only come about when they are relegated to the opposition bench.
Ku Li’s call, though admirable, is very unlikely to see the light of day. Most of us know UMNO as the agent of everything that’s wrong, a party in power that indulges in crippling corruption, top-level crimes and mismanagement; a party without much concrete ideology that exploits race and religion for its existence.
Ku Li’s proposal goes smack against the powerful warlords. It would almost be like calling for the dismantling of UMNO for these people, rendering the proposed merger to a still-born idea.
Wonder if Ku LI is trying to get into the good book of the people and Pakatan. Well, that would be fine.
Always talk and no action. Ku Li is trying his best to stay relevant and will sing all kind of song that the audience want to hear.
If by any chance he is to win the presidency, I can bet you he will not act upon what he preaches now and the same old umno will be still in place. Of cause excuses upon excuses will be his reasons for not implementing what he had promise.
It is a good idea to have two party system without race-based parties subsumed under each. But that will take a long time to evolve.
BN will not reform because UMNO call the shots all this while, and will continue to do so if it remains in power. People are not confident that PR would be able to rule the country better simply because comparatively they are less experienced. But more importantly, it is doubtful that the institutions including the government services would toe government lines.
No one would believe that PR would be an angel if it is not subject to strong opposition’s check and balance. So when PR becomes the government, BN should not disintegrate. But their current setup will not change them from what they have been used to since TDM days. To regain power BN and its component parties will have to change. They have to move away from racialist policies. For that Article 153 should be removed. Unless and until Article 153 is removed, there will be TDM breeds in the future to hijack the country for the benefit of the ruling circles through the divide and rule mechanism afforded by Article 153 of the Malaysian constitution.
“I am suggesting that Barisan become a multi-racial party for all. Umno members can be direct members in it,” he said in an interview.
Hmm if UMNO members can direct members in it, how is that going to be any different to whats happening now?
I cannot understand how you even fathom such a possibility, let alone hope for it.
As I understand it Pakatan Rakyat has no colour to it. When you are a member of PAS, Keadilan or DAP, you are not there as a Malay, Indian or a Chinese. You are a Malaysian. O.k., with PAS there is this additional requirement ath tyou be a Muslim as well..I guess I will give way to that cnosidering…..
Now, how can there be a Unity government with the BN guys? How are you going to divide the pie? BN has to have its racist quotas and percentages. PR has no such things. So what happens in in the cabinet those from PR make up 10 Chinese and 5 Indians..What will BN come up with? A cabinet with 50 people in it?
Let us be real and work towards the ideal. Taht ideal you will see inthe Peples Declaration. Taht does not cater to any race based parties.period. No
UMNO, No MCA, No MIC.
I guesss sometimes you got to understand old school UMNO politicians like Tengku Razaleih. His proposal for a Uity government is as serious as Nik Aziz’s agreement to talk to UMNO a few months ago for UMNO to join forces with PAS. Yes he say, but adds that he wants Sharia to be in place too…Now that buggers up his agreement.
Tengku Razaleigh, in my estimation ,is paving a way for his exit out of UMNO. UMNO cannot agree to anything that might undermie the ketuanan Melayu.
So Tengk’s proposal is a non-starter to begin with.
Next time Tengku does anything serious it might be to take a walk over to PR with a number of UMNO MPs. That is about the only thing for him to do that can leave a decent legacy for this man. And he knows it.