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The “Umno Post 12th General Election: An Assessment” forum was more like an indictment. It was organised by a pro-Mahathir Umno outfit mykmu.net and attracted 2000 participants.
Under the leading of Mahathir, they focus their condemnation on Umno chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the Prime Minister. The onslaught came one after another and was endless. It is very rare in the history of Umno. Umno has always pursued authoritarian leadership culture. The party has a strict class hierarchy. Furthermore, Malay culture emphasises on orderly manner. Therefore, the incumbents are generally being treated politely. | "Mahathir's support towards his former enemy, Tengku Razaleigh is one of the approaches. " | However, when the power struggle is getting obvious, factional confrontations are inevitable. They put aside their previous surface civility. The setback of Abdullah-led UMNO in the recent elections has no doubt provided a moral basis and a reasonable platform for Mahathir and his son Mukhriz to attack Abdullah without let-up. In the past, the central party can easily avoid this situation by claiming that it is only the personal dissatisfaction of Mahathir. However, as Mahathir's criticisms are gathering support, the central party feels the enormous pressure too. Once this continues, it will have a snowball effect. It is indeed a crisis. It is worth noting that Mahathir claimed that he has dropped his support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in replacing Abdullah. He changed his tactics. Does Mahathir imply that Najib should no longer wait? Mahathir understands that his personal force alone won't be effective in pushing Abdullah down. He needs more support from the people to achieve his purpose. Alienating the party's top management is a strategy. Another strategy is to combine all the voices of anti-Abdullah from the inside and outside of the party, in a bid to enhance the force. Mahathir's support towards his former enemy, Tengku Razaleigh is one of the approaches. Razaleigh wants to convene a special party meeting to call for the abolition of nomination quota, so that he can contest for the position of UMNO party chairman. As the creator of nomination quota, Mahathir supports the abolition of the nomination quota. He always fluctuates. After Mahathir's action against Abdullah, Razaleigh will hold a meeting in Gua Musang this Friday (4 Apr). The UMNO's internal disputes start. (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
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