EVER SINCE the general election, there have been calls and challenges by Umno members for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as party president and with it his position as prime minister.

Is this the birth of something new from Umno? Or have they so matured? This has never happened before. Even when a former president wanted to quit, there were appeals and cries of support for him to continue. Some cried openly like there was nobody who could take his place. But suddenly today there seemed many who want to take over the hot seat. Some Supreme Council members of the party openly criticise and even demand that the incumbent president vacate his post immediately. Hey presto! And Umno will be united and strong. That is what the aspiring members say. Wow! Houdinis or David Copperfields exist in Umno. Never knew that.

Maybe, the Umno president should call for the resignation of these “mushroom” hopefuls. Where they and what were they doing since the 2004 elections? Didn’t they live and rest on their laurels after the handsome win? It was that big victory that created egoistic and arrogant winners among the members. With that attitude, they took the rakyat for granted. Never in their wildest dream did they imagine they would lose so badly. What happened to the Houdini’s and David Copperfield?

Aren’t these the same group of people who now boast they can change Umno’s fortune?

I would like to urge Abdullah not to succumb to these pressures but to continue the good work that he has done and to cast aside dissenting voices and demands for his resignation.

A ship captain doesn’t abandon ship when it is sinking but is the last to jump. Let the crew jump ship and it probably will make the ship lighter and easier to float while repairs are being done to remedy the situation. That is what Pak Lah should do. Let the disloyal members leave; thus a big headache is cast off.
This action will help consolidate his position. There is no reason to fear a chain reaction. Those who jump ship can be termed as jumping from the tiger’s den into a crocodile’s territory. If at all, this will create a slide in support, it will augur well among the masses and Pak Lah’s honour and dignity will remain intact.

My concern is not so much what will happen to Umno but what will happen to Malaysia. Now, Umno with other Barisan Nasional parties administer the country and Umno holds the hottest seat – the prime ministership.

Without support from the other BN parties, Umno members would be biting their fingers. Together, these BN parties delivered 140 seats in Parliament. A simple majority but enough to run the government. There may be tough situations in Parliament but it is to be expected.

Frontbenchers and backbenchers must allow room for dissent and disagreements
Be attentive and accommodative. Show cooperation and coordination because the usual arrogance and unparliamentarily attitude and gestures are now things of the past. Tolerance and patience from both sides will create a healthy debate and save time and effort which will translate into quality results.
Pakatan Rakyat under Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Madam Opposition should also set exemplary standards of parliamentary ship and not oppose for the sake of it. Both BN and PR can demonstrate cooperation by practising respect and goodwill in or out of Parliament.

Parliament is not a place to seek vengeance. It is a constitutional monument of decorum and dignity. People who cannot meet the requisites of an MP should stay in coffee shops instead.

If all Umno and BN party members keep calling for Pak Lah to quit, it only goes to show they are not interested in the nation’s and the rakyat’s wellbeing but only theirs. And these sorts of people Malaysia does not need. Maybe they want Pak Lah to use brooms to sweep them out.