The message to BN is reform to survive

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 – Umno and Barisan Nasional's (BN) continued relevance success depends on a continuation of the reform and openness agenda started by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

This is the conclusion of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who is one of the ruling coalition's leaders tasked with coming out with a strategy to rejuvenate and rebrand BN following its poor performance in the March general elections.

Idris made a presentation on some of the findings made by him and other leaders to the BN management committee meeting today.

The Terengganu Umno chief, and Gerakan president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, have been given the job of supervising four working committees to look into the rebranding and rejuvenation of BN.

Idris has also just returned from a stint at French business school Insead where he went to research political strategies.

“A preliminary report was discussed today with regards to research and development to address the perception of the public towards BN, on how we can increase our strength and correct our shortcomings,” Koh said today after the meeting.

“The committees were set up four months ago with each being headed by a BN component leader. Today Idris made a presentation and there is still a lot of soul-searching and brainstorming to do.”

In an interview recently, Idris told The Malaysian Insider that his conclusion after the last few months of research and analysis was that openness was key to changing public perception of BN.

“Openness is a good thing, and I am all for it. The advent of new technologies forces everyone to embrace openness, like Datuk Ahmad Shabery said, the alternative media will be the mainstream media soon,” said Idris, referring to the Information Minister's move to engage with the new media.

He believes the idea is Islamic in nature.

“Islam talks about sincerity, integrity. And openness shows that we are sincere in telling the truth,” he told The Malaysian Insider. He said that he will continue with the reform agenda.

“I believe in it so I will do it,” he added.

With Abdullah's decision not to contest the party's presidency and Datuk Seri Najib Razak looking most likely to take over as premier if BN remains in power in March next year, Idris is confident the trend will not be reversed.

“There is no reason for Datuk Seri Najib to stop promoting openness,” said Idris.

“Pak Lah has done well, and I'm proud of him. Despite being pressured by his supporters, Pak Lah willingly gave way to Najib,” he added.

“But his time is up, it is time for a new leadership to take over It's a good generational change,” said Idris when asked on the leadership change.

Idris said he went to Insead on his own accord, but admitted that he learned a lot on how to rehabilitate the party.

“It helped me a lot, on what is happening around the world, and on different leadership styles,” said Idris.

“Look at President Johnson and Thatcher, two different personalities, but suitable for different times, so we need to identify the factors in choosing leadership style,” he added.

He added that the clock is ticking for Umno.

“We got our first call during the general election, then during Permatang Pauh. We cannot afford to get the final call, we won't survive by then,” he told The Malaysian Insider.