Tok Mat’s loyalty will see him become Umno No.1, says analyst

FMT:

Tok Mat’s loyalty will see him become Umno no.1, says analyst

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan is among three prominent presidential hopefuls in the party elections this year.

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s best chance at winning the next general election is for the party to put the right person in the driver’s seat for Umno and Barisan Nasional, says a political analyst.

And for Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir, the right “driver” is Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who is one of three prominent presidential candidates for the party elections this year.

The other two are foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein and defence minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Hishamuddin, a former vice-president, is a party “blue blood”: his grandfather is Onn Jaafar, the party founder, and his father, Hussein Onn was the party’s fourth president.

Jeniri Amir.

Ismail is one of three current vice-presidents, and the most senior Umno leader in the government, where he is senior minister for security.

But Jeniri says it is Mohamad, who holds no position in government, who is likely to emerge as the choice of the grassroots for the Umno presidency.

“Hishammuddin and Ismail are certainly more prominent than Tok Mat (Mohamad), but he is the far stronger candidate,” Jeniri told FMT. “Tok Mat is seen as a credible, but more importantly, a loyal and clean leader.

“He is not tied to any controversy from the past nor is he linked to the present administration which has come under fierce criticisms, especially with regards to the handling of Covid-19 and the state of emergency.”

Jeniri said Mohamad’s “sensible and moderate” statements on national issues and politics are also well received, within as well as outside Umno.

“But to me, the most important factor going his way is his loyalty to the party. He offered himself as a leader when Umno was at its weakest point. And when his president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) went on garden leave, he stepped up,” Jeniri said.

Even when Zahid decided to resume his post six months later, Mohamad stepped aside without any fuss after having guided Umno through several by-election victories.

“I think it is also quite significant that Tok Mat declined an appointment in a government-linked company. By doing so, he can remain vocal, and provide checks and balances to the government. His track record shows he puts the party first and I don’t think the grassroots will forget it,” Jeniri said.

Wan Agyl Wan Hassan.

Federal Territories Umno Youth information chief Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said he believes party loyalty will be the grassroots’ main criteria.

“When I look at Datuk Seri Najib Razak, I felt he was thrown under the bus after the 2018 general election. Where his cases are concerned, that’s up to the courts to decide.

“But you can’t deny that he stuck with the party, he spoke up for the people when others kept quiet, and the grassroots value such loyalty.”

Wan Agyl said it was “easy” to be vocal when Umno was strong but speaking up and offering one’s self up for leadership during hard times was a “measure of character”.

He said the Umno presidential hopefuls must prove they are loyal to the party and are able to rally not just its members, but the support of the masses in the coming election.

“And we shouldn’t just look at one single leader, but the people in their team,” he said, adding this will ensure the leadership can inspire confidence.