KU LI ON HOW UMNO CAN AVERT CROSSOVERS

Ku Li on how Umno can avert crossovers
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz May 8, 08 4:21pm
The Umno leadership can avert crossovers of party members and those from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat if it provides firm and definite leadership and direction, said former Umno vice-president and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.Reiterating a statement made previously that the issue of party-hopping should not be viewed or treated lightly, the Umno veteran added that it would create a "situation of instability"."We need to ensure that it does not happen," he told reporters when met at Parliament lobby this morning.He also said doubts among Umno members in the party leadership is what is causing them to feel the need to "change direction"."We have to convince them not to change their position (about the party)," he said.Razaleigh was asked to comment on the warning yesterday by Dr Mahathir Mohamad of the possibility that disgruntled BN elected reps will join the Pakatan coalition to form the next federal government.
BN, Umno not shakenThe former prime minister also said the matter could not be taken lightly as another bad performance at the next general election would spell doom for BN."The urge to cross over, especially when there is no inherent loyalty to the party, is very strong. It can really happen. At first I wanted to dismiss this possibility. But in studying the situation, I feel there is great danger," said Mahathir.While Mahathir has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - whom he had chosen to succeed his 22-year rule - soon after Abdullah demonstrated a shift in certain policies, his attacks stepped up drastically since the March 8 general election.The poll saw BN losing its two-thirds majority in Parliament, failing to win Kelantan from Islamic party PAS, and the fall of four states to Pakatan.Blaming the disaster on Abdullah, Mahathir and his supporters have called for Abdullah to step down as Umno president. Soon after the general election, Razaleigh offered himself to contest for the party top post to replace Abdullah.PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, has repeatedly declared that Pakatan is closing in towards wresting the federal reins of government from BN.Asked today whether the loyalty of Umno members to their party is now in question, Razaleigh said he "can agree and disagree" to the proposition as the issue hinges on the faith the members have in their leaders."If the leadership can be firm and provide a definite direction, there is no need for people to feel doubtful and uncertain about their leaders," said Razaleigh.He denied, however, that Umno or the BN coalition are 'shaken'."I don't know. That's up to the people to perceive as being so. I think Umno is not shaken, Barisan is not shaken," the Kelantan prince added.