From Straits Times, Singapore

6th January 2000

While some quarters believe intensive jostling for the top two posts will split party further, others think democracy will suffer if there is no contest

The Mahathir-Abdullah Badawi tandem will face their first test of popularity in the coming weeks, and not during the Umno elections in May.

And the grades they obtain will indicate whether the rank-and-file agree with the decision by the party's Supreme Council to endorse a no-contest ruling for the top two posts.

At the moment, it appears that the upper and middle echelons of Umno believe that Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy should not have to go down into the trenches and fight off challengers.

The main plank of the argument: any contest for the president and deputy president's posts will lead to extensive politicking, with the inevitable result of party members gravitating into two teams – Team A and Team B.

Umno, they assert, is too fragile to withstand any split.

It is coming off its worst electoral performance since the 1969 polls. Sixteen party candidates for parliamentary seats were defeated, including five ministers. In addition, two states fell to Parti Islam.

Compounding the misery, a significant percentage of Malay voters turned their backs on the party that long before the country's independence has been synonymous with Malay rights.

Umno won just 45.3 per cent of the popular vote in 41 parliamentary constituencies where Malays comprised at least 80 per cent of the electorate.

An analysis of the results also shows that voter swing against Umno was not only significant in the northern states but also in the Klang Valley.

With the patient still in grave condition, Umno Supreme Council members felt it was foolhardy to have a contest to pick the best surgeons for the job.

Sources say that even Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak – a potential for the number-two post -- supported the no-contest resolution strongly.

He felt that strengthening the party and tackling its opponents outside the party was more important than jostling for positions.

It is learnt that Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah -- another potential candidate for the deputy president's post -- did not comment on the resolution to return Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Abdullah unopposed.

It is understood that as appointee to the Supreme Council, he has the status of an observer and cannot vote.

But while the views of the Kelantanese prince on the no-contest ruling remain unknown, his supporters were quick to let their feelings known.

They were upset that "democracy" was not being allowed to flourish in the party.

They argued that after the dismal performance at the polls, it was important for Umno to show the Malay electorate that it was ready to embrace change and self-renewal.

Instead, the party leadership chose the status quo.

To be fair, there have been rumblings about the no-contest ruling from other pockets of Umno grassroots leadership.

Mr Norman Mohamed Nor, a branch head in Negri Sembilan, wondered: "Until when is Umno going to stick to such a rule? If that is the case, then it is better for us to limit the two posts to two terms.

"Don't get me wrong. For me, a leader who is brave enough to get involved in politics must also be prepared to face competition."

Several others said that contests would allow the leaders to gauge their support in the party.

Perception is everything in politics. And some grassroots leaders want the perception enforced that democracy is alive and well in Umno.

Even without the no-contest proposal, it is debatable if there would be challengers to Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Abdullah.

Under new rules, a person must get the support of 50 of the 165 divisions before qualifying as a candidate for the president's post and the endorsement from 33 of the 165 divisions before contesting the number-two post.

Said Mr Abdul Kayon Abdul Sutan, a branch head in Johor: "Even if it is free-for-all, I feel they will not be challenged."

His view will be tested in March, when the divisional meetings are held, and nominations for the party elections in May will be finalised.

As Dr Rais Yatim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department noted, whoever really wants to contest can do so; the Supreme Council proposal is non-binding.

But he warned members to learn the lessons of history. Whenever there was a power struggle for the top two posts, the after-effects have been felt on the ground, he said.

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