Harun learns the hard way

-4 July, Far Eastern Economic Review

The big surprise during the triennial General Assembly of the United Malays National Organisation's vice-presidential election was the defeat of Datuk Haran, who, after all, had Mohammed Ali in his corner. Sponsored by Tinju Dunia (World Boxing), a subsidiary of

Bank Rakyat of which Harun is chairman, Ali made doggerels for all seasons, attended fetes and feasts, prayed at the National Mosque, kissed babies and promised to spend two months holiday a year in Malaysia. He kept Datuk Harun on everyone's lips, but he also kissed a Muslim lady on the cheek and brought upon himself the kind of criticism that boxers can afford but politicians cannot. Muslims do not kiss in public.

The day before the polling date, Ali even "dropped in" at the meeting of UMNO youth, preparing their resolutions for presentation to the General Assembly. Characteristically, the self-proclaimed crusader for Islam asked the delegates to pray for his victory over Bugner. His audience gave him a standing ovation, and presumably prayed - but only for Ali Harun, a vice-president of UMNO's Supreme Council by virtue of his office as UMNO Youth Chairman, polled 427 votes and lost. He will retain his ex-officio vice-presidency for another year, after which the Youth wing must choose another leader. With hindsight, local pundits say that the Minister for Trade and Industries, Hamzah Abu Samah, and Perak Mentri Beaar, Ghazali Jawi, though losers in the election, were planted to split the vote and weaken Harun Idris's chances.

Deputy Premier Hussein Onn made it clear in his speech to the Youth and Women's wings of UMNO that the party did not need the corrupt, be they "mouse-deer or dragon". The mouse-deer is the Malay world's own beastic and famous in legend for its cunning and the dragon is Chinese. The most colourful figure in Malaysia today still (technically) under investigation for corruption is Datuk Harun Idris.

Harun's challenge this year is seen as a calculated risk on his part - a risk for high stakes because the government was on the verge of regrouping. One factor is Hussein Onn's health, which is said to be poor. Another is the untenable situation of having a defence minister (Tun Mustapha of Sabah) who asked for a year's grace to "consult" his people and was apparently given six months. The defence post is still vacant: Harun's vice-presidency as youth leader will expire in a year and he cannot stand again since he will be past the age limit, and, without the vice-presidency, his national platform would be gone. To hope to reach the deputy presidency, he had to succeed this year or wait three years, by which time others would have had the chance to consolidate their positions.