MAHATHIR LAMENTS " WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME" CULTURE IN UMNO - malaysiakini

By Leslie Lau

Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said tonight that the nationalistic struggle for race, religion and country has now been replaced by a culture of "what's in it for me?''

Speaking on satellite television channel Astro Awani, the former Prime Minister also pointed out that younger, academically qualified Malays were now shunning Umno and choosing to join Pas instead.

"The younger generation is being blocked from rising up in the party. Branch leaders are blocking those who are more qualified," he said.

That, he said, was why there was not much of a choice in the slate of candidates for the upcoming party polls.

"There is only one candidate for the presidency. There is one other but he has not received any support.

"As for others, they are either not very capable or they have tainted backgrounds," said Dr Mahathir.

The former Umno president also lamented the prevailing culture of money politics in Umno.
He said Malays who have become sucessful in business clamour to join Umno so that they will gain a certain status, and that is why money is being used in securing positions.

"It used to be under the table, but now it is practised openly.

"The voters (in Umno) are also asking for money, so from the struggle of race, religion and country, it is now a 'what's in it for me' culture," he said.

He pointed out that if Umno does not get rid of the culture of money politics, it may one day find itself no longer in power.

Dr Mahathir also dismissed claims that the political landscape had changed as evidenced by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition losing its two-thirds majority in the general election.

He said BN's poor results were due to a weak leadership, in a pointed reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

"I feel not much has changed. People are just dissatisfied with the current leadership.
"People say that the voters are seeking more freedom or have a more liberal attitude. That is not true because most voters are from the rural areas and they are not clamouring for things like human rights." -- TMI