Renewed Renewal

It went as expected, with everyone doing their part to show that they actually cared. In case you are wondering which event I was referring to, its Earth hour of course.
But let's not stop there shall we? We should do our part, in recycling materials, in ensuring disposal of garbage in the right manner (and in case you are wondering again, do not dispose your batteries in the same household garbage bags) and to contribute to the Earth's sustainability by not wasting energy. Its really simple to write all this up, but to do it is a different matter.

And of course, the conclusion of the recent 2008 UMNO Annual General Meeting went about as smooth as it could, barring the slight crowd trouble during the announcement of the Youth Presidency.

Expected, I supposed. And the curtain closer was also proper, the Previous, the Past and the Future. I am referring of course to the unexpected showing up of Tun Dr Mahathir, who also took the opportunity to have his media moment with Abdullah and Najib. But its no accident.

The new president, Datuk Seri Najib, certainly knew when it was the right time, and he welcomed Tun Dr Mahathir, who went up to the stage, and also wished Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi whilst congratulating (presumably) Datuk Seri Najib on his takeover. It all came together nicely.

Sure there was talk that the current dream team could have better consistency, but I am certain that Najib will make do with the new appointments. The conclusion of the AGM is timely, for UMNO will now head Barisan into the current most important factor of upcoming by-elections.

Whatever the reasons, Pakatan will insist that the results of all the past and the next three by-elections are the mandate for Najib and his Government. UMNO will emerge stronger and more united from this AGM and will focus on their most nagging wannabe member. Anwar Ibrahim had not left UMNO wholeheartedly, as evidenced by his
own admission that he did seek a meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir, after his termination from the party to 'negotiate his return' (this was revealed by his then most trusted aide Ezam prior to the Permatang Pauh by-election which Anwar won).

In fact, PKR was very much an accidental political party, formed primarily to seek Anwar's release on his now convicted sodomy charge. The fact that PKR had emerged victorious in the past 12th General Election, clearly showed (and also admitted by the Pakatan) that the electoral had in fact showed their displeasure, by voting against
Barisan.

But that would be the past. Clear wrongdoings by the current state governments that PKR led, and with the controversial departure of PKR's second highest politically appointees have shown that Anwar does not have the Lieutenants he needs to help him administer his party's victory. More aptly, PKR has promoted foot soldiers to Generals in their quest to run their states. In their quest to justify their actions, they saw it fit to kill their own captains (in the likes of their own two ADUNS and former EXCO members)

UMNO does not have the problem that plagues PKR, but the same cannot be said about PKR. For when Anwar loyalist decided to abandon UMNO, they merely did so to show their loyalty to Anwar. UMNO on th other hand has a pool of untapped talents, leaders, and to a certain extent, foot soldiers. Evidently, these UMNO members did not
abandon their party even when found guilty of certain malpractices, as
in the case of Ali Rustam. Such is the case, with the new appointments of the recent AGM, a new wave of grassroots leaders are now poised to impart the party's
leadership visions and missions.

For Barisan, this can only herald a new better front, given that Najib has again reiterated that his vision of One Malaysia will prevail, and will do all in his capacity to achieve something that no previous Malaysian leader had tried enough. With renewed confidence, UMNO should lead the fight against its political enemies, and with that set
their sights on one of UMNO's own prodigal son, Anwar. - PJ Moorthy - Malaysia-Instinct