Shahrizat: Umno's 'healing process' starts with reconnecting with rakyat
Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil
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KUALA LUMPUR - Former Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says there is a genuine desire to revive the party as those keen to contest are a mix of popular and new candidates.
"This shows that Umno is not dead," she told Sinar Daily.
She said people are coming forward to contest despite the party's poor performance in the 15th general elections (GE15).
"It’s a very positive move. Some may think Umno will be abandoned but when things are not right in Umno, people rally around like a family (to boost the party).
"Normally, if something goes wrong in the family, everyone starts to rally. This is what is happening now, Umno is not abandoned, its going through a self-healing process and I think it is necessary, but also beautiful," she said.
Asked what Umno needs to do to make a comeback, she said the party needs to put its house in order, and remain flexible to adapt to changes in the political landscape.
"There are lots of things that need to be done. We have to be champions of the people, understand their needs and their issues–everything goes back to the pulse of the nation,” she said.
“We must remember why we are here. Politics is not an end in and of itself – it is a means to bring greater equity and equality to the people, to build the nation.”
Previously, she said people voted for Barisan Nasional because it was experienced, stable and inclusive. "We had strong leadership, and our administrators were good at governing; leading a government is not easy and for a long time, BN was good at it," she said.
The former women, family and community development minister said BN must recalibrate and regain its footing to be a good administrator again.
She said the party needs to ensure there is political stability and economic development. "Both must come in hand in hand," she added.
