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Kadir said all political parties need to look beyond existing leaders to “reverse ageing” in their respective organisations.
“The veterans can stay on to inspire and guide their successors, but meaningful succession is imperative to coincide with Undi18 and the growing dominance of female participation,” he said in a Facebook post today.
“The poor turnout during the recent Melaka state elections should have reminded politicians that the people are getting fed up with their selfishness and wayward ways.”
Undi18, allowing those aged 18 to vote and stand as candidates, and automatic voter registration, have already been gazetted.
Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had given a guarantee that Undi18 and automatic voter registration would be implemented before Dec 31.
Meanwhile, Kadir said he had a “hunch” that Umno would strengthen its hold on power ahead of the 15th general election.
“It may even be grudgingly accepted by the majority of the people if it is willing to carry out leadership cleansing by getting rid of the corrupt, the immoral and the profane, and promote younger leaders.
“The party needs quality leaders, not publicity seekers and clowns,” he said.
Kadir said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Umno vice-president, had provided a “calming effect” on the country’s politics despite his status as an outsider, lacklustre image and less-than-reassuring 100-day achievement based on key performance indicators.
“He is even seen as quietly standing up to the Umno warlords or co-opting them into his brigade.
“But can he change Umno for the better before the next general election? He may try although that won’t be easy.
“The corrupt and the immoral would want to hold on to their positions in the hope that these could be used as bargaining chips to secure their freedom,” he said.
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