Character of Umno explains a few things

Character of Umno explains a few things
Malaysian Insider - March 21 2008

Behind closed doors the one question that MCA, Gerakan and MIC are mulling after their mauling at Election 2008 is this: Can Umno adapt to the new Malaysian political landscape and make reform its mantra?

They are wondering if the post-March 8 Umno can appreciate that its choice of leaders and policies will have an impact on how Malaysians view the Barisan Nasional. Choose or defend leaders with baggage and the coalition partners too could be dragged down by the draft of disapproval.

The coalition partners got a partial answer this week with the return of Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib to the cabinet as the Rural Development Minister and Tengku Adnan Mansor’s appointment as the secretary-general of Umno and the Barisan Nasional.

A senior MCA politician told the The Malaysian Insider: "The party has nothing against Muhammad Taib but Umno has to realise that it is no longer sufficient to think about what Umno members feel about their leaders. We have to win over younger voters who have a different value system."

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