COMMENTARY
by Wan Hamidi Hamid, Political EditorKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 - Its the second time in six months Barisan Nasional, in particular Umno, suffered a humiliating electoral defeat. Strong voices within Umno have begun to sound the alarm bell - heads must roll.
As it was in the aftermath of the March 8 political tsunami, the target is once again Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Umno branches and divisions are watching closely as yet a new drama unfolds.
The fiercest criticism came from veteran leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who threw it to the Umno president's face that his leadership was rejected by the people, "and, moreover, is rejected by our own members" after a disastrous defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday.
"Today's report card, delivered to a prime minister who is accountable also as liaison chief of Penang Umno and chairman of BN, is impossible to hide - he does not have the minimal credibility needed to run the country day by day, let alone to take it in the new directions we need to go in a complex world.
"He may not have the credibility needed to keep the country together. This dangerous situation cannot continue, and it will not.
"Today is proof that this wave cannot be held back. Umno must change. We must begin by renewing our party leadership. I am confident that by December, we shall," said the Kelantan prince in a statement.
Basically he is asking Abdullah to quit.
A similar view was expressed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son Datuk Mukhriz who is also Umno Youth exco member, repeating his earlier call.
Tengku Razaleigh has offered himself to be nominated for the post of Umno president.
Party divisions will meet this October to nominate their choices for the party leadership. Umno branches began their annual meeting as well as grassroots level polls since July 17.
Due to the Permatang Pauh by-election, the meetings were postponed last week and will commence again this Saturday until Sept 14.
Umno branches, which are not supposed to nominate candidates for the top posts, have defied the rules to name leaders other than incumbents Abdullah and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Among those "nominated" for the number one post, besides Tengku Razaleigh, were Najib and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, both of whom had declined the offer. Although about a hundred branches took the initiative, they only constituted less than half per cent of some 20,000 party branches nationwide.
Yet it was a signal that something is wrong in the party. Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's victory is supposed to be another wake up call for Abdullah and Umno.
Almost six months ago, BN lost its traditional two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as five states to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, DAP and Pas.
Already on the ground Umno members are whispering to one another, it's time for a muhasabah (evaluation).
This could mean that when the branches resume their meeting, although still without the mandate to nominate top leaders, they might just voice out their dissatisfaction with the top leadership.
They know for a fact that many of their comrades in Permatang Pauh had voted for political enemy Anwar.
As Tengku Razaleigh said it, "BN's vote count was less than the number of Umno members in the constituency".
Next week is the holy month of Ramadan, and Muslims by tradition are supposed to refrain from quarrelling and backbiting.
But the first half of the fasting month has been allocated for the remaining Umno branch meetings.
Besides having to decide whether they want a top leadership change, the branches too are bogged down with allegations of political bribes, intimidation and other misdemeanours.
With Hari Raya to be celebrated in the first week of October, and all the 191 Umno divisions will hold their meetings a week later, the clock is ticking for Abdullah.
Divisional campaigns, despite some form of prohibition, is known for its fierce fight as well as free flow of ringgit.
For the whole month of Syawal - until the end of divisional meetings on Nov 9 - Hari Raya open houses will be the bases for candidates to promote themselves as well as to campaign for their number one choice.
Even for Najib, who has failed miserably in preventing Anwar's political comeback, will be under a lot of pressure from the increasingly demanding party members who want to see a real change - for better or worse when.
Umno holds its polls in December.
Malaysian Insider
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