UMNO AGM 2010

Umno AGM: Will 1Malaysia or race rhetoric prevail?

Hafiz Yatim
Oct 19, 10

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia concept has been a tough sell among Malaysians and most observers believe it is even harder to swallow for Umno, the 3.6 million strong party which he leads.

Some Umno rank and file have opined that 1Malaysia dilutes the party's raison raison d'etre - championing the Malay agenda - and puts them in the unfamiliar territory of speaking as national, instead of communal, leaders.

During the Umno annual general assembly last year, some delegates privately voiced disapproval with big 1Malaysia logos all over the meeting venue or having the party flag fashioned in the style of 1Malaysia logos.

This time round, muted objections or otherwise, not only will 1Malaysia logos or Umno flags shaped into a "1" make an appearance, even the "1BN" logo would be making its debut.

Observers are now keen to see whether assembly delegates would follow the party headquarters' cue and bring the 1Malaysia concept to the fore instead of the traditional ketuanan Melayu rhetorics.

Gearing up for polls

Grumblings over the ambiguous 1Malaysia concept have been relatively quiet, save for some stinging criticism by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but the Najib administration believes that the1Malaysia concept is key to his plans for the next general election.

The delegates are also expected to touch on various government grand plans, particularly the New Economic Model, which has called for the gradual removal of affirmative action policies.

Though supported by liberal elements within Umno because this will encourage competitiveness, history has shown that the majority of Umno stalwarts will balk at the slightest hint of this.

In the shorter term, delegates and party leaders are expected to go on a chest-beating fest to boost morale ahead of the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections, which will be held simultaneously on Nov 4.

Though both by-elections are not particularly crucial, winning Galas would serve as a starting point for the Umno's attempt to wrest Kelantan from PAS, which has been in power since 1990.

Will Khairy survive?

For the Umno Youth assembly, delegates are expected to table their respective "report cards" on the performance of its unconventional leader Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy (right), who was elected as Umno Youth chief in March last year, has been a fervent champion of 1Malaysia and has moved away from communal hard-line approach of his predecessors.

During the assembly last year, Khairy urged his brethrens to put aside the traditional "Malay dominance" mentality and embrace the idea of "Malay leadership".

He said this would help the movement to forge closer ties with other communities and build stronger relationships with their component party counterparts.

The Umno general assembly begins tonight with the officiating speech of the Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings by Deputy Prime Minsiter and Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin.

The three wings will debate their respective leader's opening speeches tomorrow.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be making his presidential address on Friday. Debates on his speech will follow, until Saturday where the assembly will come to a close.
MI