“I don’t see that as being racist. When Umno forms the government along with other Barisan Nasional components, there is a process of accommodating the needs of others, not just the Malays. Whether this process is carried out, or the extent to which this process happens, depends on the leaders,” he told FMT in an interview.
Khaled, who was Johor menteri besar in the previous government, hopes to be elected one of three Umno vice-presidents.
He said Umno had been formed to champion the interests of the Malays, as other organisations were similarly formed to serve their respective communities. Umno should continue to represent Malays as the needs of the community and the challenges it faced were different from those of other communities.
Some senior party members had suggested opening Umno’s membership to all, following Umno’s loss of power after the May 9 general election. Others have suggested closer relations with PAS, which had made some gains, or speculated that the election results may turn Umno into becoming more conservative in seeking to maintain its hold on Malay voters.
Khaled said Umno should continue to be a progressive party while championing Malay rights and Islam, and should not subscribe to a conservative brand of Islam as championed by parties such as PAS.
“Islam doesn’t prevent us from being developed, modern or progressive,” he said, while noting that, over the years, Umno had failed to practice or adopt the virtues upheld in Islam, such as honesty and integrity.
Khaled said Umno members should remember that the party was still relevant and had brought a lot of good to the Malays and other Malaysians.
“The coming party elections are our only chance. Reject money politics and realise that this isn’t a ‘winner-take-all’ contest. It’s about getting the best people to lead the party,” he said.
Umno’s elections will be held on June 30. Others contesting for the vice-presidency include Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin, former ministers Mahdzir Khalid and Johari Ghani and Supreme Council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
Khaled said Umno would be a credible opposition party and provide a check and balance to the government. “We guarantee that we will not resort to slander and we will speak up against what is wrong.”
He urged members to evaluate the track record of candidates, especially those who have held office before, the speeches they made and the service they rendered to the party and the people.
“Hopefully there is an awareness and realisation of the need for changes. In the past, changes were decided by leaders. This time, we will leave it to the wisdom of members.”