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UMNO Youth Searching the Soul By tv3 13/12/2000 12:31 pm Wed

Assalamualaikum/Selamat Sejahtera Semua Pejuang REFORMASI Hardly surprising, The BN loss of Lunas to the BA have ruffled all sorts of political feathers, not the least of all, within the UMNO Youth. This was manifested in the resignation of its Deputy (albeit another of those infamous sandiwaras that they have learnt to adopt). And reading through the various news reports, either from the wire services or the mainstream dailies, it would be fair to assume quite a bit of goings-on are in progress, within the movement. It was revealed that accusations have been generously being fettered, particularly at the chief. "Out of touch with the grassroots" (Dr Shamsul Annuar) , "A softie that was parachuted in…" (Star 07DEC), "Attack by proxy. They cannot attack the leadership, so the Youth chief becomes the fall guy" (ST S'pore 07DEC). And statements to that effect. I am unsure if the movement is just plain dumb, or simply plainly gullible, although I suspect it is more of vested interest that have clouded the ability of its exco members (if not ALL members) to see, digest, think and react to the reality of the situation! Any which way one looks at it, it can only spell "irrelevance" staring down hard on the movement. With this in view, I will try, to enumerate in the simplest of language, to basically tell the entire leadership of UMNO, why Malays are now shunning them like the plague. If there are points that need further clarification, then "go to the grassroots". Find out from them, first hand. I am NOT a politician! Never have been, although I ate and breathed UMNO even when still receiving my nourishment via my mother's umbilical chord. Never knew any political party that was even worth knowing about, much less support. But if I can sum up in one word how I view the UMNO Youth today, then it would be, "TOOTHLESS". More so glaring when compared to the movement under Harun Idris, Suhaimi Kamaruddin, and of course, Anwar Ibrahim! Maybe, just maybe the UMNO Youth should start paying attention to non-politicians like me, to see simple things that the politically trained eye do not see. Lest I be scorned at as a racist, I apologise to "the others" who, I have not a slightest doubt, are as Malaysian as I am. But at issue here is UMNO Youth and the Malays. 1 Anwar bin Ibrahim. This has to be THE issue. The others must surely pale into the background. Let us not pretend. 1,001 questions must first be answered before the grassroots can really fathom that Anwar was indeed guilty as charged. It is often said that the Chinese view this as a Malay quarrel. And Malays, being generally Muslims, want the answers. I can assure you that UMNO Youth will do well to provide the answers truthfully and in all honesty. 2 Corruption and the Abuse of Power. Anwar's conviction involved not a single sen, and he gets 24 years (concurrently). What about the case of the share-allotment? Complete with ACA's investigation papers and the AG's recommendations? This case involved tens of millions of Ringgit that could have been distributed to hundreds of Malays. Is it not in UMNO's "charter" to protect the interest of the Malays? Or do you not consider sharing the cake as a means of protection of interest? 3 The rape of the Judiciary. What about the holiday in New Zealand where the Chief Justice (no less) accidentally bumped into a Lawyer, whose case was before him? Do the UMNO Youth expect the Malays to swallow the "no case to answer" verdict of the Attorney General? If yes, then UMNO Youth have indeed lost touch with the roots. UMNO Youth forgot that many many Malays have gone to school. Some even overseas! 4 The Privatised Projects, or is it "Piratised Projects", which subsequently have been or are in the process of being bailed-out. MISC, Indah Water, Renong and now MAS. And the on going clean sweeping of three-quarters of the Financial System under the flagship of Malaysian Plantation Bhd, as exposed by the MP from Kemaman in Parliament a few days ago. One does not have to be a crime reporter to identify the ultimate beneficiary of the entire deal. It is no other that the Finance Minister himself. The treasurer of a political outfit that swears to protect the Malays! (which UMNO Youth is very much a part of) 5 Police Brutality. This problem is REAL! We have heard about it, especially from those who have had the misfortune of having to spend time in the Police lock-ups. But they were a tiny minority. Their voices of complaints fizzle out after Michael Chong's press conference. Even after the Anwar saga, there were still opinions that say that this is more the exception than the rule. The police treatment of Reformasi supporters brings this problem out into the open, beyond all reasonable doubt! That it is against the Police Act to gather in more than fives is irrelevant. The Constitution says the contrary. Be that as it may, UMNO Youth have to see to believe what Police brutality is. And see, thousands of Malays did. Either first hand or via the internet, videos or VCD's that definitely were not doctored. Having seen what we saw, we started asking whether it was indeed necessary for the Police to act as they did against their own race? We are now wondering who the real enemies are. The standard answer, "ARAHAN", does nothing to appease the already angry Malay. 6 The Party Leader tells lies. It is as if that he will tell at least one lie every time he opens his mouth to speak. One gets the feeling that having told one lie, he has had to tell two to cover the one. Then it is four lies to cover two lies. Then it is eight to cover four. And this seems to go on until he no longer knows which is a lie and which is not! He tells people who are willing to listen that he does not fear the courts and that he was never called to testify. Only, "They (the defence) were only thinking of calling me!" A classic case of having lost track of which is a lie and which is not. Whereas Malays were brought up, "berani kerana benar, takut kerana salah" 7 The Party Leader belittles Islam and is in a constant state of war with Muhammad (SAW) and the religious elders and scholars. We are all in agreement that Islam is a dynamic way of life and has to be re-looked and re-assessed with times. But please. This DOES NOT apply to hukum-hakam. AND even when re-assessing the non-hukums, he will have to leave it to others who are more qualified to do the job, and do it independently. Giving blank cheques to the likes of Astora Jabat, Nora Marzuki and Kassim Ahmad, only makes matters worse, not only to the movement, but also to Islam. These writers may influence a handful of the ignorant. But for the majority, they are but a bunch of pariahs. 8 Can UMNO Youth satisfactorily explain (especially to the Terengganu Malays) why after 25 years, royalties have suddenly become wang ehsan? After 25 years of the State Government being entrusted with the disbursement of this royalty, it has suddenly become necessary for the Federal Government to take charge? And in your attempt to explain, please do NOT attempt to say that politics had nothing to do with the decision. 9 UMNO Youth must be able to convince many Malays why Malaysia need very repressive press laws. Otherwise, the movement must work towards the easing up of many of the conditions that has to be met, for say, the application of a publishing/printing permit. Again, we are in agreement that press freedom cannot be absolute. Press freedom should never be taken as a passport to commit slander nor disseminate lies. But press freedom should minimally report that there were indeed 30,000 to 40,000 people gathered on the Kesas Highway on Nov 5th 00, and definitely NOT 1,000 as reported. It should not attribute a press statement to Lim Kit Siang from Lunas, when the poor man was nowhere near Lunas! In short, press freedom should minimally mean TRUTHFUL reporting, even if it hurts UMNO Youth. Is that too much to ask? There you are. The basic things wrong with "UMNO Youth". Without these being addressed and resolved, no amount of finger-pointing or name calling can reach the very root of the problem that is facing UMNO Youth, by extension UMNO and by further extension the Government. As mentioned at the very beginning, the movement is too politically mature not to have been able to see the writings on the wall. But to voice it out? Well that is another issue. No matter, disregard these very basic issues, then do so at your own folly. Personally, I won't cry for UMNO Youth, for I have found a very able replacement (of Government) in the Barisan Alternative. And I will fight for that cause. My father (may Allah bless his soul) will surely understand.