KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim has characterised the book 'Umno: End of a Dream' ("Umno: Akhir Sebuah Impian") by former information minister Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat as portraying the true face of Umno since the administration of the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman till the administration of the fourth prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Rais said this was so as in the book Mohamed, who had 50 years of political experience, relates his experiences with fellow politicians who were faced with turbulence and shifting struggles in Umno earlier on.
"He also compares his service as a former parliamentarian with current MPs and state assemblymen.
"So from his experiences we see Umno has gone from era to era and reached a stage where Umno has to make assessment towards a stronger direction," Rais told reporters after launching the book with Mohamed at the Equatorial Hotel here on Monday.
The book also, Rais said, prods readers to think about the meaning of sacrifice and struggle of a politician who is willing to sacrifice for what is important in party building.
Meanwhile, Mohamed said the book covers several important events that he was involved in directly in the development of Umno and the problems faced by the party.
"What is most important that I say in the book is that Umno is not guilty, but only its people are. People say the public hates Umno...no, the public does not hate Umno," he said.
He said one worrisome matter was when some party members continuously launch campaigns to hate leaders, adding that this was bad for Umno.
Mohamed, who had held the post of Umno secretary-general from 1988 till 1996, said no Umno leader was free from hate campaigns to bring them down.
He said besides Umno's struggles, his book also touches on the 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a very good idea.
"For too long the nation's people have been split and it is a serious matter and we hope the 1Malaysia concept can bring people together. Lets think as Malaysians, feel as Malaysians and act as Malaysians," he said.
The 170-page is being sold for RM30.
Rais said this was so as in the book Mohamed, who had 50 years of political experience, relates his experiences with fellow politicians who were faced with turbulence and shifting struggles in Umno earlier on.
"He also compares his service as a former parliamentarian with current MPs and state assemblymen.
"So from his experiences we see Umno has gone from era to era and reached a stage where Umno has to make assessment towards a stronger direction," Rais told reporters after launching the book with Mohamed at the Equatorial Hotel here on Monday.
The book also, Rais said, prods readers to think about the meaning of sacrifice and struggle of a politician who is willing to sacrifice for what is important in party building.
Meanwhile, Mohamed said the book covers several important events that he was involved in directly in the development of Umno and the problems faced by the party.
"What is most important that I say in the book is that Umno is not guilty, but only its people are. People say the public hates Umno...no, the public does not hate Umno," he said.
He said one worrisome matter was when some party members continuously launch campaigns to hate leaders, adding that this was bad for Umno.
Mohamed, who had held the post of Umno secretary-general from 1988 till 1996, said no Umno leader was free from hate campaigns to bring them down.
He said besides Umno's struggles, his book also touches on the 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a very good idea.
"For too long the nation's people have been split and it is a serious matter and we hope the 1Malaysia concept can bring people together. Lets think as Malaysians, feel as Malaysians and act as Malaysians," he said.
The 170-page is being sold for RM30.
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