By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian InsiderKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 – In urging all Umno leaders to support the party’s reform efforts, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tonight asked all Barisan Nasional (BN) parties to change as well.
“Let me state here that not only Umno must change. Barisan Nasional component parties must also change,” said Muhyiddin when opening the Youth, Wanita and Puteri assembly tonight.
His remarks underline Umno’s growing unhappiness with its partners in the 13-party coalition.
The Umno deputy president’s call was made amid uncertainties in MCA, the second biggest BN party, after its two top leaders were voted out at its EGM last weekend.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, however, has yet to make any decision on his future despite the defeat.
MIC, too, has been weakened since Election 2008, resulting in Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak seeking a new ally when he officiated the launch of a new Indian political party, the Makkal Sakti Party, led by former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran.
MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu had also vowed to stay on until his deputy Datuk G Palanivel is ready to take over.
Today, Muhyiddin said Umno must re-examine its association with other BN parties.
“We must be ready to do a thorough transformation, including reaching a new consensus in our relationship with other BN parties,” he told party delegates.
He said the new form of cooperation must be based on racial acceptance and accepting diversity as the nation’s strength.
This year’s Umno assembly will see the party amending its constitution to expand its voting delegates size from some 2,500 to more than 100,000 members.
The amendment will also scrap the nomination quota to contest party posts, a move designed to allow more party members to take part in the elections.
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