Malaysia's next PM warns ruling party faces ouster

The Jakarta Post, Eileen Ng, The Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur | Sun, 03/22/2009 11:12 AM

Malaysia's incoming prime minister has warned that the ruling party - heavily weakened by election losses and infighting - is at a crossroads and ma lose power if it doesn't reform, tackle graft and serve the people.

In a rare interview published Sunday, just days before taking over the top job, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak also indicated a decades-old affirmative action program for ethnic Malays should be reviewed to ensure it is more equitable to the minority Chinese and Indians.

"We have been in power for the past 50 years and now we are at the crossroads ... although we have been dominant for more than 50 years, it is no guarantee that we will continue to do so," he said in the interview with the New Sunday Times, Berita Minggu and Mingguan Malaysia newspapers.

The joint interview with the three government-linked newspapers is an attempt to shore up the plunging popularity of the United Malays National Organization, the main pillar of the ruling National Front coalition.

UMNO will hold a key five-day meeting starting Tuesday to elect a fresh batch of leaders. Najib is contesting the post of party president unopposed. By tradition, the party president becomes the prime minister.

He will replace Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is stepping down after five years in power to accept responsibility for UMNO's dismal showing in the March 2008 general elections.

"We need to undertake reforms, be it in the party or government, as the people have given us the signals at the last general election to change. If we are not brave enough to change, we will be changed by the people," Najib said in the interview.

The National Front lost its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time in 40 years, and conceded control of five states to the opposition alliance of Anwar Ibrahim. The Front regained control of one state through defections in the state assembly, which further angered the public.

UMNO, which has been in power since independence in 1957, is widely perceived as corrupt and inefficient by all races, including the Malays who form its main power base. Its leaders are considered out of touch with the people, especially the minorities who see them as racists responsible for fueling a religious and ethnic divide.

UMNO has tried to change its image by cracking down on corruption among its ranks. Last week, about a dozen officials, including a senior politician, were banned from contesting in party polls after an internal probe found them guilty of vote-buying.

While outgoing premier Abdullah has been derided by party members and the public alike, Najib too will have a tough time to build his reputation.

The alternative online media - the mainstream media are controlled by the government - are agog with allegations of corruption against Najib. He has also been repeatedly linked to the 2006 slaying of a Mongolian woman, although Najib has denied this.

Najib also has to grapple with a weak economy, with the country facing its first recession in a decade this year.

Najib said it was time to review the 38-year-old New Economic Policy, the affirmative action program for Malays started by his father Tun Razak as prime minister in the 1970s. The policy gives privileges in government contracts, jobs, business, property purchases and education to Malays.

"In our fight for the poor, we must look at all the races. And when we help the Malays, let it be the worthy ones. Don't play favorites," Najib said.

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