Plenty of drama at forum to assess polls performance - The Star

PETALING JAYA: There were hot speeches and plenty of drama at a forum held to assess Umno’s poor performance in the recently concluded general election.

From calling on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take full responsibility and resign, there were accusations at the “Umno Post 12th General Election: An Assessment” forum that the party's top brass comprised of “yes men”.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad provided the keynote address while his son Datuk Mukhriz, who is the newly-elected Jerlun MP, and Batu Pahat MP Dr Puad Zarkashi were among the speakers.

Mukhriz came out and made his stand known, saying there was “something really wrong” with Abdullah’s leadership for his inability to check the rising cost of living, increasing crime, corruption and nepotism.

Dr Puad, who is also the Johor Umno information chief, wanted Abdullah to step down as Prime Minister.

He said people had lost faith in the present leadership.

“Umno has lost its soul,” he said, adding that the party needed huge reform to win back support of the people.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/2/nation/20821309&sec=nation]