.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright July 2024
In the latest episode of Malaysia's political soap opera, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has taken a stand against the very foundation of his party’s historical modus operandi: self-interest.
His recent speech at the Tanjung Umno division's delegates meeting in Penang, where he chastised party members for engaging in petty squabbles and prioritising personal agendas, reads like a script from a political satire—perhaps with a touch of irony that even Alanis Morissette would appreciate.
Tengku Zafrul, also the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, bemoaned the "bankruptcy of ideas" plaguing Umno, pointing to leaders who are more invested in their personal dramas than in the public good. His comments, laden with righteous indignation, suggest that the public is "sick" of endless politicking—a statement that is perhaps more true than he realizes, considering the party's storied history of internal strife and corruption scandals.
The call for Umno to focus on fresh ideas for improving the nation's welfare and economy is, on its face, a noble one. Yet, coming from a party long criticised for being a bastion of political patronage and self-serving elites, it feels a bit like the fox calling the henhouse a safe space. The idea that a party steeped in self-interest could suddenly pivot to prioritising the public good is as plausible as a reality TV star becoming a paragon of intellectual discourse.
Tengku Zafrul's assertion that members should reprimand leaders unwilling to change is particularly rich, given the entrenched culture within Umno that has allowed, if not encouraged, such behaviour.
One can't help but wonder if this call to action is a genuine plea for reform or simply a strategic move in the perennial power plays that define Malaysian politics. After all, politics of self-interest is not just a chapter in Umno's playbook; it's practically the entire book.
The cynic in me—and let's be honest, in most observers—sees this speech as another page in the long-running saga of "do as I say, not as I do." It's almost as if Tengku Zafrul, with his call for a focus on public concerns and future generations, is auditioning for a new role in a rebranded Umno 2.0, where the party sheds its old skin and emerges as a beacon of integrity. But let's not hold our breath; history has shown that political metamorphoses are rare and usually cosmetic at best.
In the end, the public’s trust in Umno, or any political party for that matter, hinges not on speeches and promises, but on actions. And until there's a consistent pattern of prioritising the public good over personal gain, Tengku Zafrul's words will remain just that—words.
The party, and indeed the political landscape of Malaysia, may need more than just fresh ideas; it might need an entirely new script. But as with any long-running series, the writers—our politicians—seem more interested in recycling the same tired tropes than in crafting a compelling new narrative.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
