Time to put a stop to warlord culture within Umno, says Muhyiddin

The sharing of riches with followers by certain Umno leaders must be stopped to prove that the "warlord" culture does not exist within the party, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Umno deputy president told party delegates tonight that the party needed to prove to Malaysians that the "warlord" culture was not part of Umno culture.

"We must reject the attitude of certain leaders who attempt to remain in power by spreading riches among their supporters," said Muhyiddin at the opening of the party’s Wanita, Youth and Puteri general assembly tonight.

"I have been told by many Umno members that the 'warlord' culture is widely practiced within the party. There are apparently many warlords within Umno," he said.

"These 'warlords' are apparently very powerful and influential because they have many loyal supporters who are willing to do anything," Muhyiddin said.

"As these 'warlords' enjoy almost fanatical support, they will reportedly threaten Umno leaders to accede to their demands.

"If their demands are not met, these 'warlords' will apparently sabotage Umno in the general elections," Muhyiddin said as he recalled what he had heard.

Muhyiddin said not only did Umno have to prove that these allegations were baseless, but they also had to get rid of the perception that these "warlords" did not need to struggle for the party.

"We have to get rid of this perception, as 'warlords' reportedly only needed to amass more wealth to share with their followers to retain their loyalty.

"This has caused political costs to become more expensive. Those who do not have money cannot enter politics," Muhyiddin lamented.

"Even though they have the talent, qualification and ability, but they cannot be active in Umno if they do not have money."

Muhyiddin expressed his concern that in the end, those who moved up the party hierarchy were those with deep pockets, not talent or ability.

"People say money is everything in politics, no money, no talk. This makes it as if money is power, money is everything," Muhyiddin observed.

"Do followers or supporters just evaluate a leader based on their ability to share wealth? Do leaders measure their supporters' loyalty based on the payout?

"What is the point of moving up rapidly through the ranks in Umno when the public rejects the party?"

Muhyiddin said whatever he was saying was merely the perception and criticism of the Malay youths towards Umno, some of which was inaccurate, some of which was true.

"What matters is to accept the criticism and change for the better," Muhyiddin said, adding that this would show that Umno was a party which was open to criticism.

"Actually, a lot of Malay youths have high hopes and expectations of the party. They are not against the party's core struggles.

"What they want are Umno leaders who are firm in fighting for the interests of Malays and Islam. They want leaders who are not too extreme in racial issues or too liberal."

Muhyiddin said today's generation of youths were quite critical, and they were quick to criticise if they saw or heard something which did not fit in with their idealism.

"That is the strength of youth, they are confident with their ideals and not afraid to speak out for what they believe in. They have the courage and conviction." – November 25, 2014