GE15: Umno not as bad critics claim - says Raja Nong Chik

SHAH ALAM - Contrary to the contention of its detractors, a seasoned Umno leader has remarked that the Malay party isn’t all that rotten as critics made it out to be.

This was the remark from former Lembah Pantai Umno division chief Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin to a poser over the matter in an exclusive sit-down with Sinar Daily.

“I think regardless of what people say about the leaders in Umno, there's quite a number of good people,” he said in Sinar Daily's Fireside Chat programme.

However, he refused to name names despite Fireside Chat's host, Kamarul Bahrin Haron, mentioned the name of Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.

"I don't want to name anyone because I don't want to be personal.

"As for Tok Mat (what Mohamad is fondly called), I have known him for a long time, he is also my neighbour. I know him before he got into politics," Raja Nong Chik remarked.

The former federal territories and urban wellbeing minister also highlighted that Umno has many members who more experienced in both political and corporate fields compared to those of Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“Why most businessmen are not happy with PH, even the Chinese businessmen, despite what Lim Guan Eng did when he was the finance minister, were unhappy with him.

“Maybe their employees might not feel [the pinch], but their bosses do,” said Raja Nong Chik.

To a question on the performance of former prime minister who is currently in jail, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he believed that Najib was betrayed by "individuals he trusted."

However, when asked to comment about former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's performance, he said the latter was betrayed by some individuals that he trusted.

"If he [Najib] is campaigning for all the areas like he did in the Melaka and Johor state elections; I think it will make a difference.

"Because to the surprise of many, we (Umno) have attracted a lot of people, especially the young ones," said Raja Nong Chik.