Although Mahathir triumphalism was checked in Round One of the “M vs Pak Lah” battle in the elections for Umno Youth and Wanita leaders on Thursday, with the outgoing Prime Minister getting the upperhand, Round Two of the “M vs Pak Lah” battle for the top Umno posts yesterday saw Mahathirism vindicated and set to be the dominant force in the new Najib premiership.

With Abdullah’s proxy, Mohd Ali Rustam disqualified from the contest, Muhyiddin Yassin was elected Umno Deputy President with 1,575 votes, defeating Muhammad Muhammad Taib with 916 votes.

The three elected Umno Vice Presidents are Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (1,592 votes), Hishammuddin Husein (1,515 votes) and Mohd Shafie Apdal (1,445 votes).

Abdullah’s farewell speech to wean UMNO from the scourge of money politics and corruption did not go down well at all with the Umno delegates, as he was repeatedly booed when he spoke against “greedy and avaricious” Umno members who created “the negative perception that Umno is a corrupt party” and Umno members who “expect positions and projects”, “titles and awards”, “material fulfillment” while “the spirit of sacrifice, the spirit of struggle, the spirit of serving the people and country is fast fading away”!

The UMNO Supreme Council elections have also chalked up a notorious record, justifying the following caustic comment by Malaysian Insider’s “Winners and Losers, Day 2”:

“Malaysians – What else can you do besides shrug your shoulders and wonder what is going in Umno when three of the most obnoxious MPs – Datuk Bung Mokthar Radin, Datuk Puad Zarkashi and Datuk Tajudin Rahman – get elected to the most powerful decision-making body in the party.”

The following article is also recommended:

A glimpse of what could have been – The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 26 – This was the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who once had an approval rating of more than 90 per cent among Malaysians.

This was the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who went missing for long periods between 2005 and 2008.

In 4,000 words, Abdullah reminded many Malaysians why they invested so much hope in him when he became the prime minister in October 2003. In 4,000 words, he also gave a cameo performance of why his administration will be remembered with regret, disappointment and frustration by many Malaysians.

If only – those two words were on the lips of many at the end of his speech at the opening of the party assembly.
During the one-hour speech, Malaysians had a glimpse of Abdullah the:

• Magnanimous – He had been bludgeoned by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad since 2005; called unflattering names by the former prime minister and shamed in public.

Yet today before the whole country (the speech was telecast “live”), he thanked Dr Mahathir for appointing him as the DPM in 1999 and then making way for him in October 2003. “Thank you, Tun, ‘’ he said.

Many in the hall enjoyed the moment but his supporters said that his magnanimity and inability to kill off opponents sowed the seeds of his downfall in Umno. The party loved him but they never feared him.

• Ultimate party loyalist – He took party delegates down memory lane today, speaking about his love and devotion for Umno, the party his grandfather, father and mother served with distinction.

He took a stab at the critics within the party who humiliated him since Election 2008 but pointed out that never once did he consider damaging the party or quitting Umno.

He spoke with pride about the party which united the Malays, fought for independence, built a country. Sadly, the party which he was speaking about in glowing terms bore little resemblance to the one today.

• Reformer – In Umno circles, they blame Abdullah for allowing the culture of criticism in Malaysia to prosper and for not using the sledgehammer approach to bring the media and Opposition into line. They want a return to the old days when newspapers shut out the Opposition completely and when fear coursed through the veins of many Malaysians. Abdullah said that going back was not an option. Never could be.

“There are those who believe that Umno will return to winning ways if we go back to the old ways, to the old order and by stifling people…If we take that old path, I believe we are selecting the wrong path…I fear that this path will speed the demise of Umno,” he said.

Is his plea going to make any headway with his party leaders or members? Little chance. They forced him out because they want a return to the old days.

• Leader of all Malaysians – Too little, too late, but only a sprinkling of Umno leaders today would be prepared to go before the party assembly and urge them to keep their natural instinct in check. Abdullah cautioned Umno against becoming racial and religious extremists and urged them to always offer an umbrella of protection to all Malaysians.

Nice words but it is unlikely that a political party which has become more inward-looking since Election 2008 will be moved by words. He could have done much more to resolve the knot of issues between the races or find a new platform of cooperation for Barisan Nasional. His party’s failure to make Malaysia a hospitable place for all is his failure.

• The meek – Warts and all, Malaysians, especially in rural Malaysia, embraced him as prime minister because of his soft demeanour, his willingness to show his human side. Today, he conceded that he did not manage to fulfill all his promises and acknowledged that he had made mistakes.

“I apologise for my shortcomings and weaknesses,” he said, concluding a speech which said much about the man and his party.

They gave him a standing ovation but, like many elements in his speech, perhaps it was too little, too late. If only…