- Galas nomination: Where is Ku Li?

GALAS (Oct 26, 2010): As returning officer Wan Mustapa Abdul Hamid announced the face-off between Barisan Nasional's (BN) Ab Aziz Yusoff and PAS's Dr Zulkefli Mohamad, the question on everyone’s lips was "where’s Ku Li?"

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who was appointed BN’s director for the Galas by-election, was nowhere to be seen at the district office-turned-nomination centre.

Tengku Razaleigh being greeted by fellow BN leaders and supporters outside the District Office.

Instead, he was waiting 100 metres away at the bottom of the hill where the district office is located.

Even as Ab Aziz walked through the gates of the district office, he was not flanked by any Umno stalwart – only Wanita Chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil and MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Trailing behind was Umno secretary-general Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

As 10am approached – when nominations closed – Tengku Razaleigh was yet to make his appearance at the nomination centre.

He refused to proceed to the district office premises, reportedly saying: "It’s okay. Let them handle it."

Ku Li was coy with reporters and didn’t say much more, although it was later learnt that he may have been slighted by a statement by Ab Aziz on Monday that he did not need Tengku Razaleigh to carry votes for him.

It took Kelantan liason chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and several other Umno leaders to talk him into coming up to the nomination centre, where other BN leaders were seated.

He finally made a five-minute appearance at 10.30am and disappeared as quickly as he had arrived, back to his home in Bukit Chekati here.

"He doesn’t like the attention, that’s all," Mustapa told theSun. "I told him all his friends are waiting to see him, so he came."

Khairy meanwhile dismissed talks of "Ku Li merajuk". "No such thing! As all the other leaders were here, he left it to them to do their part," he said.

Ab Aziz played down the issue by saying the Gua Musang MP was spending time with supporters below the hill.

"I will definitely comply with Ku Li’s instructions and guidance because he is the election director. I am thankful for the help that the federal government and agencies have extended to me," he said.

BN's Ab Aziz (left) shakes hand with PAS's Zulkefli.

Ab Aziz said the benchmark of support from the public so far is the rousing turnout at the launch of the people’s housing project recently.

Zulkefli meanwhile said he will continue the legacy of PAS’s Chek Hashim Sulaima, whose death forced the country’s 13th by-election since 2008.

"We will continue to articulate the wishes of the people and speak on their behalf," said the camera-shy medical practitioner, preferring to let PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang do most of the talking.

Accompanying them were other Pakatan Rakyat leaders including Lim Kit Siang, Azmin Ali and Husam Musa.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat also made a brief appearance.

Meanwhile, an objection from PAS against Ab Aziz was rejected. The party had questioned if he had resigned as Kelantan South Development (Kesedar) operations manager.

The Elections Commission (EC) later confirmed receiving Ab Aziz resignation letter.

On his nomination form, Ab Aziz states his employment status as unemployed.

The EC’s decision to implement a 180-metre buffer between supporters seemed to work, as skirmishes were kept to a minimum. The only altercation was between PAS supporters and the police when the pathway to the nomination centre for Zulkefli became too crowded.

Galas state seat by-election

Candidates: Abdul Aziz Yusoff, 49, (BN), former Kesedar operations manager;
Dr Zulkefli Mohamad, 44, (PAS) medical practitioner

Total voters: 11,553 (including 127 postal voters)
7,125 Malay ( 61.7%)
2,317 Chinese (20.06%)
185 Indian
1,889 Orang Asli
10 Siamese

2008 general election: Che Hashim Sulaima, 46, (PAS) won the seat with a 646-vote margin by garnering 4,399 votes against BN's Saufi Deraman's 3,753.

- Education officer in race for Galas BN candidacy

GUA MUSANG (Oct 17, 2010): A government servant is among those shortlisted as potential Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the Nov 4 Galas by-election.

Gua Musang district education officer Muhammad Zahari Othman is among three names expected to be handed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the decision on who will be fielded against a PAS candidate.

If he accepts the nomination, the 51-year-old would have to relinquish his post to contest the seat which became vacant following the death of PAS’s Chek Hashim Sulaima on Sept 27.

The other names being considered are Gua Musang Umno secretary Abdul Aziz Yusof, 49, and Gua Musang Umno Youth vice-chief Zamzani Harun, 39.

According to sources, these names were mentioned by Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah at a meeting with BN leaders here on Thursday.

Razaleigh, who is heading the BN campaign in Galas, had told BN leaders here that, ultimately, it is Najib as the Umno president and BN chairman, who will decide the candidate.

"But it is incumbent on local leaders to decide on the shortlist of the preferred choices," said a source.

Razaleigh, himself, was expected to be fielded as a candidate but it is learnt that the 73-year-old former finance minister did not put his name on the list.

"Ku Li told us that he is not keen to contest but he will be at the forefront of the campaign and we think that could be enough to win back Galas," said another party source.

In the 2008 general election, Chek Hashim beat Saufi Deraman of Umno by a 646-vote majority. There are 11,553 registered voters in Galas.

PAS is chosing its candidate through a vote by the state leadership. Both the BN and PAS candidates are expected to be announced by their parties on Sunday -- two days before nomination day. --

RAZALEIGH: He's missed the bus, it would seem

POLITICAL veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is hoping for a miracle as he has yet to receive a single nomination for the Umno presidency after Week 2 of the party's divisional meetings.

The peak of the mountain he is scaling seems to be beyond reach for the 71-year-old Gua Musang member of parliament, leading many to suggest that he abandon his quest.

With the series of divisional meetings coming to the halfway stage, the answer to the big question of whether he can marshall enough support to contest the Umno president's post is as clear as daylight, especially with Datuk Seri Najib Razak already chugging past the qualifying quota of 58 nominations on Sunday.

History is repeating itself. Tengku Razaleigh, the Kelantan prince who has been on a political roller-coaster for so many years, is fighting a lost cause, yet again.

Should he concede defeat before the qualifying round ends on Nov 9?
His supporters say he should not. They have Plan B -- a change in strategy -- to garner support from the remaining 126 divisions yet to hold their meetings.

The former finance minister, despite not having a significant power base since the height of his clout 20 years ago, still commands respect and loyalty from party members.

This was reflected by attempts by his diehard supporters in several divisions to nominate him for the No 1 party post at division meetings. But it has been nothing but disappointment for Tengku Razaleigh all the way.

Even the Batu Pahat division, in which he had high hopes of being nominated, followed the tide and nominated Najib instead.

So was the case of Machang, Bachok and a couple of others; proposals for him, which came from the floor, were shot down after being put to a vote by show of hands.

All indications are that the wave pushing Najib to the top of the party's hierarchy is too strong to check.

There is a theory that Tengku Razaleigh's chances of getting nominated would be higher if selection was carried out through secret ballot.

Is this really the case?

Tengku Razaleigh tried his luck in 2004 to challenge Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but did not qualify to contest as only his Gua Musang division nominated him.

He took on former president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the epic contest of 1987 and was defeated by a mere 43 votes.

The infighting continued and Umno was subsequently declared illegal. Tengku Razaleigh went ahead to set up the now defunct splinter party, Semangat 46.

While many are still unable to forget his role in making Semangat 46 an ally of the opposition, helping Pas topple the Barisan Nasional goverment in his home state of Kelantan in 1990, there is now renewed anger among Umno members over his meetings with opposition leaders, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Even at the time when Abdullah was contemplating defending the Umno presidency, there were doubts whether Tengku Razaleigh could get the requisite number of nominations.

Now with Abdullah out of the picture and Abdullah's anointed successor, Najib, the contender, the path is still dark for him.

The most charitable of observers have admitted that the 2004 rebuff was the final signal that his ambition to lead Umno and become prime minister was over.

He, in fact, admitted after his failed attempt that his bid then was his last.

"I will not offer myself to contest (the presidency), I will be too old ," he was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying, after he conceded defeat following the overwhelming nominations received by Abdullah to become the sixth Umno president.

A chunk of Umno's 3.2 million members today cannot relate to Tengku Razaleigh due to a generation gap. Many of those in his era had either forgotten the roles he played in boosting Malaysia's economy or are no longer involved in active politics at grassroots level.

But Tengku Razaleigh still appeals to a section of Umno; he continuously reassures the Malays that their special rights are protected under the Federal Constitution and has no qualms attacking Umno members for their arrogance and addiction to power and patronage.

In his eyes, Umno is no longer struggling for Malay rights.

It is not concerned over the economic well-being of the poor in the community.

He is an accomplished man but, as many within Umno circles will agree, his time in Umno has long passed.

SOURCE: He's missed the bus, it would seem New Straits Times

JOCELINE TAN: Mark of Mahathir

ANALYSIS
By JOCELINE TAN

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad appears to have given his blessing to the new Umno leadership line-up that is taking shape. But it has also sparked off talk of the return of Mahathirism, and not everyone is thrilled about it.

UMNO politician Datuk Rauf Yusoh hosted quite an unrivalled Raya open house on Tuesday evening.

His guests of honour were Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. And flanking Dr Mahathir at the VIP table were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Razaleigh: His problem has less to do with Umno leaders blocking him than members being unable to come to terms with his past.

There were a string of other ministers including Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (Home) and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage).

It was ostensibly a social event but the political undertones were just too glaring to ignore. And you could tell how fascinated the other guests were from the way they whipped out their handphones to record the scene.

Songbird Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and her husband Datuk K were also there but the star of the evening was Dr Mahathir.

There was a terrible crush to get near him as he prepared to leave. Not everyone managed to shake his hand but they gave him a round of applause when he finally climbed into his car.

Meanwhile, host Rauf who has the looks of a sumo wrestler was like a nervous schoolboy as Dr Mahathir held his hand and whispered a good three minutes of advice to him before he left.

But Rauf had pulled off something special, and that was to gather all these personalities under the same roof.

There was a very powerful message there. Some read it as Dr Mahathir giving his blessing to the incoming top echelon. The die-hard Umno types saw it as restoring the respect that this grand old man of Umno politics deserves.

And it meant something to them that he was there sitting at the same table with all these Umno leaders. They do not want Dr Mahathir to be at odds with the incoming Umno leadership.

Dr Mahathir is not the easiest of persons to live with — then and now, and especially if one is the Prime Minister — but Umno members want him back in the party.

Dr Latiff: Confident that Najib will know how to maintain a good relationship with Dr Mahathir.

“We want reconciliation. We want this man who has done so much for us to come home to Umno,” said Rauf.

He will be returning to Umno, maybe not right away but definitely after March.

Does this mean that Dr Mahathir has given up on Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah whom he had earlier endorsed for the president post?

Apparently, he was very disappointed — and suspicious — to learn that the Gua Musang MP had recently met top Pakatan Rakyat partners, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The whole idea of backing Tengku Razaleigh was to force out Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. But Anwar is even more of an anathema to him than Abdullah, and Dr Mahathir’s cooperation with the Kelantan prince has since come to an abrupt end.

Matter of history

But Tengku Razaleigh’s campaign was a lost cause from the start. He is an extremely accomplished man, intelligent and so polished, but unfortunately his time in Umno has long passed.

Besides, there is the matter of his history. After the courts declared Umno illegal in 1987, he set up his own party, joined forces with PAS in two general elections and was instrumental in PAS winning Kelantan in 1990.

As such, it is less about Umno leaders blocking him than Umno members being unable to come to terms with his past. This is his third attempt at the Umno presidency. He almost won the first time but he is likely to have a repeat performance of his 2004 attempt when he won only a single nomination from his own Gua Musang division.

And it has not helped that one of his aides had even begun instructing reporters to stop referring to Tengku Razaleigh by his decades-old nick-name “Ku Li” because it was too casual and less than respectful.

But Tengku Razaleigh’s name was proposed for nomination at a couple of division meetings in Johor. For instance in Batu Pahat, a member of the floor proposed him for president.

But it was quite futile because when Batu Pahat division chief and MP Datuk Dr Puad Zakarshi stood up to propose Najib and Muhyiddin for the two top posts, the gathering of more than 500 delegates responded with a standing ovation.

However, sanction from Dr Mahathir has its pros and cons.

There is already talk about the return of Mahathirism, a replay of the Mahathir era or even Dr Mahathir being the de facto Prime Minister, and not everyone is thrilled about it.

The man himself has described such speculation as “nonsense”.

Dr Mahathir will always be special, especially in Umno, and there will always be a role for him as an elder statesman, but his time, like Tengku Razaleigh’s, has passed.

Najib and Muhyiddin are very seasoned leaders who have fought many battles. They know the political landscape has changed; the electorate have grown very demanding and their opponents more formidable than ever.

Time for change

When he was in Sabah recently, Najib said the old ways would have to go, that Umno would have to embrace change or the people would change the Government. Umno cannot return to another Mahathir-style era.

Besides, there is only one Mahathir, and Najib is anything but another Mahathir. He was a minister in Dr Mahathir’s Cabinet but the two are from different generations and their backgrounds could not be more dissimilar. Najib has learnt from what Abdullah went through and he would want to keep Dr Mahathir engaged at a respectful distance rather than antagonise him.

He would also want to respect some of the reforms Abdullah has put in place as well as show regard for Dr Mahathir’s better policies and legacies.

And he would definitely want to take heed of Dr Mahathir’s criticism of nepotism and cronyism, particularly given that he has brothers who are in business and children who are entering or already in the job market.

Just recently, Najib was said to have been advised not to be saddled with another problematic set of “Level 4 boys” that some people in Umno have grown so wary of.

The term refers to the staff serving the Prime Minister’s office, and Najib acted quickly to dispel concerns that another “Level 4” was about to take shape around him.

But these are still early days, the Umno division meetings are ongoing and Abdullah is still pressing on with his reforms.

Ultimately, Najib would want to put his own stamp on things and the picture should be clearer in the next few months.

“Datuk Seri Najib will be different from his predecessors because of his age, personality and upbringing. But I’m confident he will know how to have a good relationship with Tun Mahathir,” said Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad.

Act now on world financial crisis: Razaleigh

By IAN McINTYRE

Act more decisively and respond faster to the ongoing global financial meltdown, said former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Words alone are inadequate to calm the market place jitters. Corrective action and a hastened effort to reduce political uncertainty must be put in place now, Tengku Razaleigh said in a statement.

“The meltdown will change the global financial landscape forever,” he predicted.

Emergency action by governments of the major economies appear only to be slowing down the breakdown of the global financial system, he said.

“This is a financial emergency of the highest order. The global economy faces catastrophe,” the Kelantan prince said.

As a former Finance Minister, he urged the Federal Government to take this crisis most seriously as trillions in savings and investments have been wiped out around the world.

Yet the Government is only issuing statements that the country is able to weather the ill effects without announcing in a transparent fashion what action plans are in store, he said.

“Foreign direct investments and portfolio investments into Malaysia could dry up as global capital adjusts its priorities.”

Among the measures, Tengku Razaleigh is proposing to stabilise the local bourse, including temporarily suspending trade in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange while exploring joint action with authorities around the world to bring about stability to the marketplace.

source: Act now on world financial crisis: Razaleigh
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

New Mahathir broadside could boost Razaleigh

Posted by St Low

Thursday, 25 September 2008 09:18

SEPT 25 - In a move that could help Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah bid for Malaysian leadership, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has launched one of his strongest attacks yet against the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

Expressing amazement at recent developments in Umno's Supreme Council, Dr Mahathir deplored "private deals" between Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Razak as "unsatisfactory".

"By the time Abdullah meets Najib, he would have been briefed by his family on what to say," Dr Mahathir wrote in his Internet blog yesterday.

"And Najib, being Najib, would then accept Abdullah's solution to the problem. Najib would have the task of selling the solution to the Supreme Council. By doing so, Najib would go down further in the estimation of council members and the public when Najib's behaviour is leaked."

Dr Mahathir predicted that Najib would not get his wish for a peaceful transition. "There has never been a president of Umno who is as much disliked and even hated by the people as Abdullah," said the former premier. "Malays, Chinese, Indians . . . the ordinary people all want Abdullah to go - the sooner the better."

Dr Mahathir's outburst is the latest in a long line of ferocious attacks going back two years. It comes at a critical point for the embattled Abdullah, who could face a party revolt amid calls for him to go much earlier than his previously announced June 2010 handover to Najib.

Dr Mahathir's tart comments could also bolster former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh's chances in his seemingly quixotic quest to obtain enough nominations to challenge Abdullah for Umno's presidency and, with it, the prime ministership.

The 72-year-old Kelantan prince faces an uphill battle getting the 58 nominations he needs to challenge Abdullah, largely because he has been out of government for 21 years and a whole generation of Umno members do not know or care about his contributions to the nation.

But if Najib, 55, maintains support for Mr Abdullah and refuses to challenge him, Tengku Razaleigh could get support from frustrated Umno divisions desperate for a change at the top and a firm hand on the rudder.

As if sensing the country's dark mood, Tengku Razaleigh issued an epistle-like statement to all Malaysians on Monday, urging them "to come together in this dangerous situation" because Umno and the government "are no longer viable".

He said the government now commands much less support than it did after the March 8 general election, but rather than share the public's urgency for change, the present office- holders had "redoubled efforts to frustrate renewal, cut off reform, and silence criticism".

Tengku Razaleigh blasted Abdullah's transition plan as a "fantasy which rides roughshod over the party's constitution and the rights of its members".

In many ways, the prince's statement echoes Dr Mahathir's sentiments. "This brazen attempt to treat public office and party trust as a private bequest between two individuals - one of whom wishes to hold office beyond his democratic mandate, the other to ascend without one - and the continuing effort to force-feed the country with this notion, fools no one," said the prince. And there is no mistaking the individuals he was referring to.

- Business Times Singapore

source: New Mahathir broadside could boost Razaleigh
Malaysia Today, Malaysia

Tengku Razaleigh confident of garnering enough nominations

KUALA LUMPUR, MON:

Gua Musang Umno chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today that he is confident of garnering enough nominations to contest the president’s post at Umno’s polls in December.

The Member of Parliament for Gua Musang said he decided to enter the fray after getting feedback and support from the grassroots.

“I cannot tell what my strategy is now as it will jeopardise my chances.

God willing, I will get the nominations,” he said at a dialogue session with political bloggers at his residence here. The session was also attended by mainstream journalists.

Tengku Razaleigh more popularly known as Ku Li went for the post in 1987 but lost to incumbent Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad by a slim 43 votes.
The incumbent this time is Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Under the party’s quota system he needs a minimum of 30 per cent of Umno’s 191 divisions to nominate him to be eligible to contest (the presidency).

source:

Tengku Razaleigh confident of garnering enough nominations

The New Straits Times

Toying with Malaysiakini PM UNDER NEW PRESSURE TO QUIT.

(There is a comment by BERITADARIGUNUNG at the end of this post)

• PM under new pressure to quit
• Malaysiakini 21 sep 08, 11:11am

Last week Abdullah faced an unprecedented challenge from within his cabinet, as four ministers spoke out against him at the Umno supreme council meeting.MORE

Commenting on Malaysiakini's PM under new pressure to quit, sep 21 08,

BERITADARIGUNUNG:
The pace is slow. The build-up is nationwide. Now that is the scale of the pressure calling Abdullah to quit sooner. The four supreme council members were reported to be Rafidah, Muhyiddin, Shafie Afdal and Hishammuddin. Only one member, Annuar Musa from Kelantan stood for Abdullah. Things could easily turned for the worst when najib found it necessary to stop and move on. Abdullah was said to be in tears then. Now such prelude was real and brave.

The response on the political tsunami was when Abdullah passed on MOF (Ministry of Finance) to his deputy Najib immediately. This could have been done sooner to show to the grassroot that he (Abdullah) is serious about power transfer. Once Abdullah responded to the pressure, there shouldnt be anymore second thoughts.

The rakyat were perplexed when Mat Taib were reported by Bernama to brush aside pressure as mere differences in opinions (click). Someone reported that Abdullah is now less serious about quitting because there is a real pressure from the backroom boys namely Khairy, Alwi and Zaki, to hold on.

Now with Anwar ready to play poker in Parliament and Tengku Razaleigh is ready for December, what would one expect Najib and Muhyiddin to do. Asking Abdullah to stay aside, and let them finish off whatever battle left.

It will be naive of Najib and Muhyiddin to stay where they are, come December 2008. What happen on thursday was a prelude to the real UMNO political Tsunami.

- beritadarigunung

Razaleigh rumus PERLUNYA PERUBAHAN KEPIMPINAN

"Our leadership is rejected by the rakyat and, moreover, is rejected by our own members. BN's vote count was less than the number of Umno members in the constituency. Within and among our component parties, we ran a poorly coordinated and listless...

"Today is proof that this wave cannot be held back. Umno must change. We must begin by renewing our party leadership. I am confident that by December, we shall," Tengku Razaleigh said in a statement on Tuesday.

Razaleigh Hamzah, a former MP and veteran politician, said Abdullah had lost "what scraps of credibility [he] had left" following Anwar's victory.

"He may not have the credibility needed to keep the country together," Razaleigh said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Antara Najib, Muhyiddin, Abdullah dan Tengku Razaleigh

Carta di atas menunjukkan keputusan pilihanraya PRU12 baru-baru ini untuk 4 tokoh penting negara, Najib, Muhyiddin, Abdullah dan Tengku Razaleigh. Najib sangat popular di Pekan, diikuti rapat oleh Muhyiddin di Pagoh, manakala Abdullah di Kepala Batas dan Tengku Razaleigh di Gua Musang bukanlah pilihan mutlak yang sangat popular dan sangat ketara di tempat masing-masing.

beritadarigunung

Tengku Razaleigh is stinging.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a senior member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the ruling coalition, called for a new leadership "to unite our people... and forge a clear national direction."

"(Abdullah) does not have the minimal credibility needed to run the country day by day, let alone to take it in the new directions we need to go in a complex world," he said. "This dangerous situation cannot continue."

click:Malaysian PM faces calls to quit after Anwar victory
AFP

"Quietly" They Fight.

All eyes are on Anwar Ibrahim, his battle in court and outside.

As always. But in Umno the political storm is brewing with the momentum picking up fast, a run-up to the big party polls in December.

Even at Umno branch level it's simmering. There are already reports of brawls, fist fights, assaults involving Umno members before, during and after "mesyuarat cawangan" or branch meetings.

And there are accusations of money being used for political support. Nothing new really. After all, party leaders from branch to division to national levels have admitted that money politics do exist in the party.

Now some branch leaders are saying, "We will not report the matter to the Anti-Corruption Agency but will forward the problem to party secretariat for further action." The party "secretariat' being the one announced by Umno president recently to "monitor branch and divisional meetings to ensure compliance of ethics and combat money politics." Not really new.

Hence some Umno membes are getting the ACA into the picture. ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan has confirmed that reports on money politics by some Umno members are being investigated.

"Ironically Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also a member of Team B then."

Recently a Seremban Umno member was detained for allegedly trying to bribe a branch chief for support.

Mukhriz Mahathir, one of Umno young leaders eyeing for higher post has complained of "struggling" to get enough support. He could very well be talking about money politics or some form of "intimidation" preventing members from making decisions on their own. Nothing new also.

However, something worth looking at is the "trend' of branches. In short there are branches (and their numbers are quite substantial) that are defying "instructions from the top." Hence you still get Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Muhyiddin Yassin and even Rais Yatim being nominated for party presidency.

True, branches' nominations don't count but the message is clear. Can Umno afford to turn a deaf ear on the voices of grassroots ? There's no denying some Umno branches are showing their displeasure with the leadership. We have heard of calls for Abdullah to step down as well as to hand over power to Najib Razak earlier than 2010 as planned. The same can be said in Wanita where supporters of Sharizat Jalil are said to be unhappy with Rafidah Aziz's succession plan.

But among the main grouse within UMNO is the quota system. Many want the nomination quota abolished, and are calling for a return to the old two-nomination way for every post.

So there we have it.. bickering, bribing, fighting and what have you.

Still paramount of it all (at least to me) is the ACA report lodged by former Selangor Umno strongman Mazlan Harun against Abdullah and Najib Razak for alleged abuse of power.

The report was based on a letter said to have been written by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division head Kapt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim, which accused Abdullah and Najib of "political corruption of the highest order."

In the letter addressed to the Umno secretary-general, Zahar said the two top leaders had been campaigning to defend their positions despite asking others not to do the same. Zahar viewed the top two leaders' actions as a violation of the guidelines issued by party headquarters.

(The ACA has responded by saying statements will be recorded from Abdullah and Najib, but at the same time warned of actions against those who make false report).

It's interesting to note that Mazlan, son of former Selangor Umno overlord, the late Harun Idris, was a member of Team B led by Tengku Razaleigh which took on Mahathir's Team A in the big Umno fight of 1987. Ironically Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also a member of Team B then.

Anyway, Umno are in for a stormy weather (if it hasn't already), which brings me to a remark made by supreme council member Syed Hamid Albar recently.

Syed Hamid who is also the Kota Tinggi division chairman was asked to comment on an incident at one of the branches in his division where a war of words erupted bweteen the pro- and anti-Syed Hamid factions. Chairs and tables were also over turned.

According to Syed Hamid, what happened was "asam garam dalam Umno." In short it, was all "part and parcel of Umno ."

Yes, he was talking about that one incident at the Kuala Sedili branch.

But there are many who would swear that the same words can be used to describe all the current bickering, quarrelling and fighting in the party. Said an Umno friend, "Biasa lah tahun pemilihan!"

click here: "Quietly" They Fight..
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia -

Apa kata Dr Mahathir

11-07-2008: Najib won’t be PM, says Dr M
by Yong Min Wei

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak will not make it to the prime minister’s post, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Writing on his blog Che Det, Dr Mahathir said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would not allow his deputy to take over the premiership despite promising Najib the position in 2010.

According to the former premier, prior to the date for the transition of power, allegations would be hurled against Najib to show that he was not qualified to take over as prime minister.

“Someone who is deemed to be more loyal to Datuk Seri Abdullah would take over Najib’s place as deputy prime minister,’’ he said.

Dr Mahathir said that neither would the candidate who replaces Najib be the prime minister come 2010 as the candidate would then be considered inexperienced for the top post.

In such a situation, he added, Abdullah would continue the premiership until the 13th general election.

“If the people’s current trend of thinking continues, then Barisan Nasional (BN) will lose the next general election and Datuk Seri Abdullah will no longer be the prime minister. Therefore, there will be nothing for Datuk Seri Najib to take over from,” said Dr Mahathir.

Abdullah announced yesterday that he will hand over the reins of the government to Najib in mid-2010. He would also hand over the post of Umno president and BN chairman to Najib, Abdullah said. Dr Mahathir, who had three deputies who failed to make it as prime minister before he made way for Abdullah in 2003, has been urging Najib to challenge the Umno president at December’s party polls.

Umno branches and divisions meet between August and October and will nominate candidates for the top national posts.

Aside from Najib, veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is the other leader who could possibly challenge Abdullah if he gets enough nominations to contest.

It is not clear if Dr Mahathir will throw his weight behind Razaleigh should Najib decline. Razaleigh himself had challenged Dr Mahathir for the top post in a bitter fight in 1987 but lost by 43 votes.

From Dr Mahathir Blog:

• PERALIHAN KUASA
• Snippets - Peralihan Kuasa

Source of article:
11-07-2008: Najib won’t be PM, says Dr M
The Edge Daily, Malaysia

Exclusive Interview With Raja Petra: Najib Changes The Ending For Team A And Team B

• Headline
• Exclusive: Raja Petra

2008-07-09 17:58

In 1987, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wanted to contest for the Umno Deputy President position. The then Umno had been split into Team A and Team B – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's camp and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's camp. Anwar was the Umno Youth Chief and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was his deputy.

Raja Petra said that both Dr Mahathir and Anwar understood that if Najib went to Razaleigh, then Team B would have higher chances to win.

He said that most of the Chinese did not identify with Tun Abdul Razak, but he was greatly supported by Malays. Thus, his son Najib managed to gain support as well.

“Najib wished to be the Umno Youth Chief. He could make it as long as Anwar stayed out of the way. Thus, Anwar said Najib could be the Umno Youth Chief with a condition that he supported Dr Mahathir,” he said.

Raja Petra believed that Najib was not a fighter. He would not aggressively fight for opportunities. However, he would take it if he was given a change.

“It is true even until today.

“Threfore, Najib expressed his support for Dr Mahathir at the very last minute. Otherwise, Razaleigh might have become the Prime Minister. And the Malaysia's history would be different,” he added.

During the most intense period of the dispute between Team A and Team B, Raja Petra and Anwar discussed about the situation at a gathering.

He revealed that: “At that time, we heard that Razaleigh's chances to win was high. We analysed it and I told Anwar that votes from Umno Youth members were very important. That's why Team B led by Razaleigh was trying their best to draw him to their side. We asked about Anwar's opinion and which side he would take.

“Anwar rejected Team B. He said he had promised to support Dr Mahathir. He even said that he would resign if Razaleigh won.”

Dr Mahathir said he would not resign even if he won only by one vote.

Eventually, Dr Mahathir won with a majority of 40 votes. (Guang Ming Daily)

MySinchew 2008.07.09

blog updates on Razaleigh 26 Jun 2008

Calon Presiden UMNO
9 hours ago by pemudaumno UMNO Cawangan Jalan Enggang Menyokong Penuh Cadangan Untuk Mencalonkan YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah Sebagai Calon Presiden UMNO Dalam Pemilihan Agung UMNO 2008. Pemimpin Datang dan Pemimpin Pergi. Sudah Tiba Masanya Untuk YBM Tengku ...www.pemuda-enggang.org - http://pemudaenggang.wordpress.com

Terserlah sudah niat Muhyiddin untuk merebut dua kerusi tertinggi
17 hours ago by TUGU BANGSA TEMBOK NEGARA Tengku Razaleigh dan Muhyiddin adalah yang paling lantang bersuara untuk menghapuskan sistem kuota kerana merasakan dengan adanya sistem kuota ini beliau dan Tengku Razaleigh mungkin gagal akan mendapatkan pencalonan yang cukup.Tugu Bangsa Tembok Negara - http://tugubangsa.blogspot.com/

A Brief Political History Of Sabah
23 Jun 2008 by cai Malaysian Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a brilliant economist who was also the cousin of the then King of Malaysia Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan, cheated death when Harris decided to have him stay a little longer on Labuan. ...malaysiana1 - http://malaysiana1.blogspot.com/

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah PM malaysia.
23 Jun 2008 Aku selalu terfikir, andai Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah dinobatkan sebagai Presiden Umno seterusnya menjawat Perdana Menteri malaysia, aku rasa rakyat Kelantan akan condong menyokong Barisan Nasional pada pilihanraya akan datang. ...TranungKite Online v7.0 - http://www.tranungkite.net/v7

Laporan Lewat
23 Jun 2008 by . EKSPIDISI Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah ke Pulau Pinang dan Perak Sabtu dan Ahad lepas dalam rangka mendekati akar umbi Umno bagi memperkasakan Umno selepas dilanda taufan Nargis dalam pilihan raya umum lalu membawa berbagai makna dan kesan .... - http://msomelayu.blogspot.com/ - References

Razaleigh to Ezam!!

Razaleigh to Ezam: Welcome back!

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Dr Mahathir on loyalty to party and Umno chief

Sunday May 25, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Criticising or pressuring the Umno president to step down does not mean one is disloyal to the party, said former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir went on to question the rationale of some claims that those who were not loyal to current president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were not loyal to Umno.

“Is Umno Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and is Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Umno?
“Only those with individualistic interest will spread and support the concept that Umno is Datuk Seri Abdullah and not being loyal to Abdullah meant that members were not being loyal to Umno,” he said in his latest blog posting at www.chedet.com on Friday.

Dr Mahathir also cited past incidences where Umno leaders disagreed with the party presidency due to their loyalty to the party.

“Tun Razak and several Umno leaders disagreed with Yang di-Pertua Umno Datuk Onn Jaafar’s suggestion to open to all races which eventually caused Datuk Onn to back down.

“In 1969-1971, they also disagreed with Tunku Abdul Rahman’s leadership in the party and he stepped down. But does this mean that they did not love the party or were disloyal to it?” he asked.

Dr Mahathir also claimed that from 1986-1987, Tun Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Abdullah acted to topple him as Umno president.

“They were clearly not loyal to me but did I accuse them of being disloyal? Were they barred from meeting members? Were they prevented from campaigning to tarnish my name or not to vote for me?

“Did I consider their opposition against me as party disloyalty? Actually Abdullah should not have been accepted into the new Umno after he lost, as he was not loyal to me,” said the former premier.

Abdullah, he added, was not only accepted in but was allowed to contest the supreme council member and later the vice president post.

“If I held on to the definition that anyone who is not loyal to me is not loyal to the party, would I have appointed Abdullah again as Minister and then as deputy prime minister and so forth?” he questioned.

Blogsphere on Razaleigh

Related Blogs:

RaZaLiCiOuS - RaZaLiCiOuS MY KU LI - YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - http://mykuli.blogspot.com/ Penyokong YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - "Perwaris Perjuangan Yang Belum Selesai" Penyokong Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - http://penyokong-kuli.blogspot.com/

Kembalikan Semula Kegemilangan UMNO 1946

18 hours ago by yiemega Penulis melihat satu-satunya calon yang membolehkan kegemilangan UMNO pada tahun 1946 dapat dikembalikan ialah Yang Berhormat Mulia Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah seorang pemimpin berdarah raja dan berjiwa rakyat. Penulis yakin sekiranya ahli ... Penyokong YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - http://penyokongkuli.wordpress.com

عبدالحميد دراني منجيلت لوده سنديري؟

9 May 2008 by yiemega بارو-بارو اين ڤنوليس اد ممباچ ايسو سماس كلوارن خاص حراكه دان ڤنوليس منجومڤأي ساتو ارتيكل يڠ مڠناءي كومين سأورڠ ڤينچيراماه ڤاس يڠ جوڬ بكس ڤينچيراماه امنو ايايت عبدالحميد دراني يڠ مندعوا ڤونچا ككالاهن بن د كلنتن اداله كران سيكڤ ڤميمڤين بن ... Penyokong Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - http://penyokong-kuli.blogspot.com/ .

Razaleigh added that this incident should not have happened as the ...

8 May 2008 by Gras Important epidemiologic concepts and common biostatistical terms to help Permethrin mosquito nets translate medical research into everyday practice. Abbott Fund supported Costa rica bird guide have served more than, children and ... Furosemide the benzodiazepines and phenytoin are i - http://phenytoin4you.blogspot.com/

SELAMATKAN NEGARA-BANGSA SEMPENA HARIJADI UMNO KE-62 Putera Bentan ...8 May 2008 by puteramaya
Tapi agak aneh bila suara dan tindakan Muhyiddin, sama seperti suara Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, nampaknya macam tidak diterima baik oleh pucuk pimpinan tertinggi UMNO, BN dan kerajaan. Lain-lain personaliti di ...
puteramaya - http://puteramalaysia.blogspot.com/

BERITADARIGUNUNG:

Razaleigh: Sabah MPs capable of springing surprise

PETALING JAYA: Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said it was not impossible for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to form the Federal Government in the next few months.

He said the possibility of Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament switching to the opposition could not be discounted, especially in Sabah, as many in the State were still unhappy with the situation there. read here

exit plan

Berita dari gunung said...

Dato Ron,

Exit Plan yang baik sangat-sangat dialukan. Bukan senang untuk JK Pengurusan UMNO menyusun plan yang baik, kecuali Abdullah Badawi cakap terang-terang kepada Jawatankuasa tersebut. Cakap samar-samar kepada reporter "Saya bukan nak jadi PM selama-lamanya" bukan mandat untuk Exit Plan dirangka.

UMNO tidak ada sejarah yang memperlihatkan barisan baru melanyak barisan lama. Apabila Abdullah berundur adalah diharapkan beliau tidak dilondeh depan khalayak ramai.

Senario itu hanya ada di Filipina saja. Indonesia juga mencuba, tetapi masih ada pemimpin sana yang tidak tergamak berbuat begitu.

Dulu, Anwar Ibrahim cuba buat begitu. Zahid Hamidi adalah pelaung utama battle cry "nepotisma, kronisma" Tidak dinafikan waktu itu gelombang menolak pemimpin cukup kuat melanda Asia Tenggara dengan merudumnya ekonomi.

Anwar Ibrahim hingga kini dilihat sebagai pemimpin yang ingin naik dengan stail, dan sejarah juga memperlihatkan kenaikan beliau keatas dengan merentap ramai kebawah. Espionage bagi pihak US juga dilabelkan keatas beliau dari dulu hingga kini.

Diharapkan Najib, Muhyiddin dan Tengku Razaleigh tidak tergamak untuk melondeh Abdullah Badawi semau-maunya bila Abdullah turun. Kalaupun sukar untuk memberi penghormatan kepada Tun Mahathir yang sangat kritikal, cubalah juga untuk Abdullah.

Jangan kita cemarkan sejarah negara dengan stail Anwar Ibrahim.

Terima kasih.

11:34 AM

BERITADARIGUNUNG: as in kudakepang, ruhanie ahmad