KUALA LUMPUR – Following his recent resignation as Selangor Umno’s treasurer, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz sees the state party as still being in a state of “nothingness” even though eight months have passed since the state election concluded.
The Kota Raja Umno division chief also said that Umno at the state level had yet to conduct a thorough post-mortem analysis.
Even more disappointing to him is that Selangor Umno still lacks a new strategy to win over the people’s hearts.
“In the general election in 2022, Umno recorded its worst performance in history. Not a single seat was won (in Selangor). Then we moved on to the state elections. Only two seats were won. It was another severe defeat.
“After Selangor Umno suffered a severe defeat in the state election, I stated that it was the last warning for Selangor Umno. If the outcome of the state election hasn’t awakened Selangor Umno, there’s nothing else that can awaken Selangor Umno.
“So, if my view on the urgent need to restore the glory of Selangor Umno is not accepted, I think it’s better for me to focus on helping Umno at the central and divisional levels,” he said in a statement on X.
Tengku Zafrul said there were five ways to restore the glory of Selangor Umno.
Firstly, he said, the state party needed to conduct a sincere attitude study that would reflect the pulse of the entire Selangor population.
“Second, modernise organisational operations. An organisation that is cost-effective, communicates quickly, is open to grassroots ideas, prioritises policy proposals and uses data and analysis accurately.
“Third, seek successors with an open heart. This is important because ultimately, Selangor Umno will be judged by the people based on the leaders it showcases,” he said.
The fourth strategy, he said, would be to formulate win-win cooperation with party allies in Selangor.
“Fifth, and most importantly, we need to adopt new political cultures – both intellectual and political – focusing on solutions and policies and discarding outdated practices. Because if we don’t change the culture, no matter how robust our vision plan is, we will ultimately remain powerless.
“I am still committed to Kota Raja Umno and Selangor Umno. Because I believe that we all share the same dream of seeing Selangor Umno become relevant and respected by the people of Selangor again.
“The road ahead is not easy. We need to work hard. But this is the tradition of struggle and the dream that must be realised,” he said.
On April 1, Tengku Zafrul resigned as the treasurer of Selangor Umno.
Tengku Zafrul, who is also investment, trade and industry minister, said that the Umno post would be better filled by someone who could contribute more effectively.
He said that among the reasons for his decision was the perception that the planning for Umno’s revival in Selangor was not in line with the party leadership’s aspirations. – April 6, 2024