(File pic by Samsul Said @ Flickr) THE appearance of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the final day of the 59th Umno general assembly precipitated a riotous cheering. This overwhelmingly positive reception is telling of what the party truly wants — and what a worrying prospect that is. No doubt Mahathir’s presence [...]

(Najib pic courtesy of theSun) THE most solid expression of reform within Umno at the party’s recently concluded five-day general assembly was in new president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s closing address. Whether change will come in the quantity or quality that Malaysians expect is unclear — but some change seems forthcoming. “Our next general assembly [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: The Kedah Gerakan Youth has proposed the Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council membership include a representative each from Wanita, Youth, Putera and Puteri wings of BN coalition parties. Its chief, Tan Keng Liang, said the proposal was with the hope of creating a more dynamic BN for all Malaysians, irrespective [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Feb 2009:  As the MCA turns 60 today, a pertinent question that lingers on the minds of the people and party members is whether it has served its purpose of being the political vehicle for the Chinese populace in Malaysia. If the answer is in the affirmative, then the next question that [...]

MANAMA (Bahrain), 19 Jan 2009: Umno has lost the “wow” factor that would attract people to the party, and needs to institute radical change to win back support. In a frank analysis of what ails Umno in the wake of the Kuala Terengganu by-election, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the there was a need to [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Dec 2008: Despite the controversies surrounding the Malaysian judiciary this year, some attempts are being made to restore the institution’s image. Events signalling a revamp kicked off with lawyer-cum-politician Datuk Zaid Ibrahim being made a senator and appointed de facto law minister after the 8 March general election. The move by Prime [...]