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Let's go for a lively democracy and leave the kind we are practising now.

COMMENT

By Aspan Alias

Theres no denying that Umno and BN are in a fix. While many Malaysians agree that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has to go, BNs fate will remain uncertain even if he is eventually forced out. Umno may see some increase in support from the Malays if Muhyiddin Yassin assumes the presidency of the party, but this wont make a difference to the other BN components in their ability to increase support from the Chinese and other non-Malay communities. Indeed, even with Umno, there is some doubt as to whether the silent majority of Malays will support it.

In the eyes of voters of all races, Umno has fallen to its lowest level and it is perhaps safe to say that none of its current top leaders can assume the presidency without anxiety.

This is not about changing leaders from Tom to Dick to Harry. Its about changing the entire brand. The country needs a new ambience that can be brought about only by a fresh political environment. We can no longer afford to have a leader cast from the same old mould.

Replacing Najib with someone from the current line of leaders in the Umno Supreme Council will not change anything. They are just spare parts of what was once a fairly credible leadership. Thats why Pak Lah was not the appropriate man to replace Mahathir. And Najib is even worse.

What Umno needs is nothing less than a structural change in its leadership. If we continue with the traditional routine of changing leaders, well be only addressing the pain without curing the disease.

Even if one leader emerges who is credible enough to inspire a resumption of support for Umno from the Malays, he wont be good enough if he cannot also inspire support for the change that is needed. He would be an even worse option if he does not have what it takes to bring about economic transformation and to address the massive corruption and other evils that flow in the veins of our leaders of today.

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We need a leader cast from a new mould