UMNO MUST REVAMP CULTURE, IMEJ - M'SIAN DPM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- United Malays National Organisation (Umno)'s
negative image and the attitude of its leaders, which is not seen to be
people-friendly, are among the reasons for the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN)
defeat in the east coast Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election last week,
said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

As such, the Umno deputy president said the party must change its culture
and image so that it could win the hearts of the people.

Umno leaders at all levels must put up a positive and people-friendly image,
he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of the agreement on the
Restructuring of the southern state of Negeri Sembilan Water Supply Services at
the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.

"The people gauge Umno from what they see in their relationship with the
Umno leaders at all levels," he said.

He said this when asked to comment on the statement by Umno vice-president
Muhyiddin Yassin that Umno needed the "wow" factor to regain the people's
support following the defeat in the by-election.

Opposition Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) won the Kuala Terengganu
parliamentary seat when its candidate Abdul Wahid Endut defeated the BN
candidate, Wan Farid Wan Salleh and Independent candidate Azharuddin Mamat in
the by-election on Saturday. Umno is the political party leading the ruling BN
coalition.
-- BERNAMA