KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 – Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim today suggested that the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially Umno, select electoral candidates well before the time that is right for announcement.
“It could be within two months or one and a half months. Therefore, the evaluation and re-evaluation should be done at least 10 days before the actual decision to announce it so that we can correct whatever we made in terms of mistakes,” he said.
This was to ensure that the chosen people were winnable candidates and to avert any disappointment on the part of certain quarters at the 11th hour, he said in an interview at his office here.
Rais, who has served under five prime ministers since the time of second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, said party members should respect the decision of the BN leadership in not selecting them, and they must be prepared to face the reality of a change in the situation.
He also said that making the selection early would also avoid party members not chosen from contesting as independents, as was the case in the 13th General Election, involving not only the opposition but also the BN.
Following in the English translation of the transcript of the Bernama and RTM interview with Rais:
QUESTION: As the Information, Communications and Culture Minister and a three-term MP for Jelebu, Datuk Seri has accepted the decision of the BN leadership not to contest (this general election) well. In fact, Datuk Seri went down to the ground to support your successor, Zainuddin Ismail, the Jelebu Umno deputy chief, at the nomination last Saturday.
RAIS: We must learn from the positive values in our struggle. Because at some point someone is backed and supported at various levels until a certain time like a famous old saying, ‘years gone by, inheritance shall change hands’. So, the principle should be imbued in every leader, not old, not new ones, but each one of those who regard themselves as leaders have to face the reality, the moment when the situation changes or when one is no longer listed as a leader.
This is difficult, but we have to face the reality of the struggle because a leader should not remain as an elected representative or a minister, or in other positions, but face the fact that one day he should leave. So, we should accept the change with respect, not with sadness or ways that could harm the struggle. I understand this is difficult to do, but it is embedded in my thinking and practice that the rotation of power, the reins, must be respected.
We cannot, for example, having been a leader for a long time, all of a sudden jump ship. When the time does not suit us, we jump. I appeal to my contemporaries and those who have interactive experience with other leaders, not to leave the party at this critical moment.
The question is, one who has been a leader for a long time and risen to a top position, gets a lot of benefits, becomes distinguished, and receives other facilities, then leaves the party that has served him, without any qualm, joins another party that has been against the government and our party over the years. This stance should not be practised and we do not follow one or two leaders who have done such a thing.
QUESTION: What is Datuk Seri’s comment about the action of party members who expressed their frustration by not supporting the candidates chosen, or standing as Independents?
RAIS: This is categorised in the values, practices and struggles that we should accept and adopt. We are judged by our words. We will be judged by what we have done.
Hence, we must not forget that by immersing ourselves into a new group, whether Independents or otherwise, we will be scrutinised; our credibility will be questioned and we cannot face the people who have been supporting us. In the world of struggle, there will be some sadness, happiness, losses, gains.
In that sense, as a person who has long been in government and party, I would like to call on (party members) that we cannot disappoint the prime minister who has enlivened our spirit for so long under the 1Malaysia concept, for his deeds and other positive measures.
QUESTION: What has gone wrong? By taking this stand or action, these party members have put personal interest above that of the party?
RAIS: To me, when I heard one has jumped ship, before becoming a top or mid-level leader, we should take cognisance.
They should meet up with these members or get in touch with them. The second way is to prevent his or her followers from joining him or her and going astray from the struggle.
For me, a general should not run away from the struggle unless he is followed by many who share his feelings. If one jumps over the fence and becomes an Independent candidate, and nobody else (follows), I think his stand and action has no support. In such circumstances, I am still confident the Barisan Nasional will win and, believe me, in the final analysis, the people will vote for the Barisan Nasional.
QUESTION: Considering that Datuk Seri has been in the party for so long, what is your advice to party members who aspire to be good leaders in Umno?
RAIS: Do not look at what we can reap from the struggle. If that is what we start with, we will eventually answer “because I do not get (anything), I want to jump or leave the struggle”.
A person who wants to become a member or a leader of Umno or BN (component party) should answer, whatever happens, our principle is to help ensure the party’s victory, it does not mean straying from the struggle. So I think, such people are serving themselves, not the cause.
No matter how high a person’s achievement, old deeds should be seen as testimony in a struggle. I always say one, two, three and four, that’s the way we count. After getting the deeds and all, do not forget those who had sown the deeds.
QUESTION: As a party leader who has served under five prime ministers since Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, does Datuk Seri think that Umno should change to meet the challenges of the 21st century in line with the 1Malaysia concept?
RAIS: For every action, there is a reaction. For every item recommended, there is another better example. I agree with the view that several systems in Umno or the BN should be changed in future but they should not be raised now. What has to be changed should be done in the future, maybe, those responsible in determining the candidates should be systematic and follow prescribed rules.
For example, a policy in determining winnable candidates, this must be explained clearly to bring reform in the future.
Maybe now it is too late. Deeds and services that have been sown should determine whether a person is qualified or not and, in addition, we could equate that to the problem of age and productivity.
If productivity surpasses age, the answer is clear. What’s the point if a person is young but his productivity and results cannot be attested to. So, things like that should be gauged up to the level where decisions are made.
In this respect, I would like answer, in future it would be wise to determine candidates earlier than is the practice now.
This is to prevent us from having to ward off slander from those intent on belittling a person, as opposed to what was determined by the last selection panel.
So, this may take two months or one and a half months before the polls. If this was the question asked, so this is what I can answer so that we do not get a lemon that is partly sour and partly sweet. I believe that if there is such political will, then Umno and the BN can survive and perpetuate the struggle.
I think the BN will probably have a new principle and put the 1Malaysia logo further afield than what it is today.
This will give us a new level of satisfaction with a clearer political structure and push because we should accept our political pluralism as a firm and strong element.
BERNAMA
