What’s up with Umno

There’s something about Umno’s internal party election that seems to bring out the worst in its politicians and this year’s edition is no different.

First up, we have Home Minister-cum-Umno Macho Man par excellence Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s bizarre comments during a function in Malacca recently.

Among other things, the Minister was said to have claimed that the bulk of gang members in Malaysia are Indian Malaysian and that most crime victims are Malay Malaysians.

He also apparently endorsed the police’s alleged practice of shoot-to-kill, but then praised the so-called Tiga Line group, which some claim are pro-Umno.

Then we have former Malacca chief minister and PUNB chairman Mohd Ali Rustam, who was also recently appointed a senator.

Mohd Ali was reported to have told a PUNB event that Chinese Malaysians were behind all the “illegal businesses” (like gambling and vice) in Malaysia. We can only assume that he is implying that the perceived wealth of Chinese Malaysians come from these activities.

At the same time, Mohd Ali apparently also accused the DAP of basically having no goal in life but to oppress the Malays, as if Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh’s every waking moment is spent thinking about how to ensure that "… the Malays will be living along the Gombak river".

Both of these men are educated Malays who hold high public office. Both are running for the Umno vice-presidency. The post is seen as precursors to higher party and national office.

Where to begin when leaders make such remarks as theirs?

Ahmad Zahid ought to know that crime is colour-blind.

His statement is unhelpful as it is offensive. Ahmad Zahid should know that there is no conflict between greater public security and civil liberties.

Yes, we have to crack down on crime, but that doesn’t give him or any other leaders a blank cheque to embark on racial profiling. It certainly will not make Malaysians – Malay or not – feel safer, if the Home Minister is seen to be endorsing an alleged criminal gang.

Indeed, the Home Minister has delivered a blow to the cause of creating a safer and more secure Malaysia.

The country needs effective and scientific crime-fighting strategies which are community and civil-liberties centred, rather than crude racial stereotypes. And let’s face it: detention without trial is always abused politically.

As for Mohd Ali – well, his statement is offensive to both Chinese and Malay Malaysians.

It’s offensive to the Chinese because, as noted, it implies that their wealth is mainly or only due to their involvement in vice activities. Even someone of limited intelligence would be able to tell you that not every Chinese Malaysian owns a casino or a massage parlour.

Mohd Ali has basically insulted millions of hardworking and law-abiding citizens of this country.

Yes, my Chinese Malaysian friends, this is how Umno really views you.

Not that Malay Malaysians fare any better. In Mohd Ali and Umno’s worldview, Malay Malaysians are eternally helpless, requiring perpetual protection – which can only be provided by their party.

Never mind that many of the weaknesses and failures besetting the Malay community stems from Umno’s policy failures, corruption and favouritism.

Never mind that part of the reason why Malay Malaysian entrepreneurs are so unsuccessful stem from the overbearing interference of the government in the economy – which kills innovation, competition and enshrines the need for “know-who” rather than “know-how”.

I am sure both these gentlemen will claim that their comments were taken out of context.

Or perhaps they will stand by them, claiming that they represent “the truth”, which ironically only they seem to have a monopoly of.

But the scary fact is that these men are running to become the second-tier leaders of Malaysia’s ruling party and that one of them could sooner or later succeed to the very top echelons.

Many will say, “Oh, but they’re only saying this for the Umno elections. Surely they’ll go back to the centre once they win, once Umno is secure and dominant again.”

Perhaps, but the very fact that such rhetoric could win them support in their parties in the first place is a sign that something is deeply wrong with Umno.

It’s a sign that Umno’s values, its priorities and worldviews, are increasingly out of step with many Malaysians, to say nothing of the world at large.

In fact, one doubts very much that either Ahmad Zahid or Mohd Ali truly believes in the things they reportedly said – but this cynicism, this willingness to damage the nation for the sake of their political careers – makes it all the more chilling.

Many Malaysians will be discouraged or frightened by these statements. I urge them not to be.

These are merely the dying gasps of a party that was once-noble but is now way past its expiry date. These are just the mutterings of a ruthless, unprincipled class of plutocrats in love with the sound of their own voices and addicted to power.

Umno is living in the past and the statements of these two vice-presidential candidates of theirs prove it.

Umno is the past.

Race-based parties are the past.

Malaysia needs a new vision and new leaders that can lead it forward to a multiracial future. – October 10, 2013.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.