The Malaysian Insight

THE control Umno warlords have over the outcome of party elections varies from state to state but generally, their influence is waning, especially after the party’s trouncing in the 14th general election, said delegates and division chiefs.

Those voting this Saturday are expected to favour presidential condidate Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former deputy prime minister and interim president who enjoys good rapport with the division chiefs.

Delegates who in the past were supplied with a list of names to vote for are reporting that they now have freedom of choice.

“It’s different now,” said 50-year-old Zailan Mokhtar, a party branch delegate who makes a living as a trader in Masjid India.

He said there had been no instructions from Bukit Bintang division chief Zainal Abidin Mohd Rafique on who to vote for.

Zailan said since the elections became open in 2013, the warlords’ influence had diminished as there were too many delegates for them to court.

Before 2013, the office bearers and Supreme Council were decided by some 2,700 delegates attending the annual general congress. But after amendments to the party constitution, the number of voting delegates were expanded to more than 100,000, said Zailan.

“With what has happened after GE14, the delegates have been asked to use their own discretion,” said the retired soldier when met at a Hari Raya function for Umno Federal Territory delegates recently.

There have been Raya gatherings aimed at wooing delegates in the states this past week. Candidates have been using these gatherings to introduce themselves and to pass out cards and flyers on their biodata, political resume and voting numbers.

State-level gatherings are being organised for Zahid, the interim president, to address the party members,  one of the perks of his incumbency.

His rivals in the presidential race – frontrunners Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Khairy Jamaluddin, and relative unknowns Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Mohd Yusuf Musa@Jamaluddin – have had to organise their own gatherings to campaign.

In the deputy president’s race are party information chief Annuar Musa and former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan.

The vice-presidents’ contest will see several former ministers and ex-menteris besar vying for three seats. The race for 25 spots on the supreme council has 106 candidates who include MPs and former ministers.

Rasah division chief Hasim Rusdi said he did not know of any specific lists so far but the delegates were still consulting the division chiefs for guidance on who they should vote for.

“We don’t instruct but many delegates refer to us for advice. But it is for reference only,” said the Labu assemblyman.

He said his division would factor in the candidates’ knowledge, integrity and ability before advising their delegates. The number of candidates from a particular state was also an important factor to ensure that each state was represented on the supreme council.

“For example, there are many candidates from Selangor. We can’t let all of them win, isn’t it?” said Hasim. 

Jelebu division chief Jalaluddin Alias said many delegates look to division chiefs for direction.

“But for me, this is best time to vote according to conscience. We must pick a president according to his age, ability and whether he is accepted by all the races,” said Jalaluddin.

If there is a menu, it is because delegates do not know the candidates well enough, said Tambun Wanita exco member Nuraniza Paijan.

“When they give us a list, we should just follow. I want to follow the list because I don’t really know all the candidates,” she confessed.

On the ground, Kampung Sialang branch chief Hilmi Zurghida said the influence of warlords varied from place to place.

“It’s hard for warlords these days as many can judge the candidates for themselves. For Umno to come back, we have to vote according to who we think is the best candidate.”

Batu division delegate Norhisham Abdul Mutalib doesn’t believe the warlord culture is as strong as it used to be after Barisan Nasional’s defeat in GE14.

“There too many delegates to influence and furthermore they are not as influential as previously. For my division, it’s open season for all the candidates,” said the lecturer.

But for some, having to choose is bewildering, more so with the free for all for the top post - something Umno has not seen before.

At the Federal Territories Umno Hari Raya gathering in the Putra World Trade Centre recently, five men from Lembah Pantai sipped teh Tarik and listened attentively as Zahid gave a speech.

After the speech, one man named Zairul looked to the most senior man at the table and said: “We just follow you-lah”. – June 28, 2018.