Tengku Razaleigh,“It may not be good for Barisan but we have no choice,”

Well, if UMNO leaders think and have the insights of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, maybe there is a glimpse of hope for the party and its coalition, but whatever it is, such "conversion" in this point of time is too late (that's provided if these people want to change).

In his recent comments about the situation in Perak, he added that it was time to let the public decide who should be the government for Perak. On another note, he added that UMNO being the "big brother" of all parties should take seriously the rakyat's demand for fresh elections as a challenge and face the "music" with an open mind, rather than hiding behind some court and under some judges' robe.

Well, Tengku, as much as we want to hope for such things to happen, I am sure you know how it will turn out. Anyway, it is a "Kiasu" issue, everyone has it, but UMNO is probably the King of Kiasus.

Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Barisan Nasional lawmaker and former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has added his voice to a growing chorus of Malaysians demanding fresh elections in Perak to resolve its month-long political impasse.

“I think that constitutional rule in Perak has collapsed and the only way to rectify the situation is to go back to the people,” Tengku Razaleigh told BT in an exclusive interview yesterday. “That would be the appropriate thing for the Ruler to do.”

Why did he think elections weren't called? “The chances are that we (the BN) will lose badly in Perak,” said the Kelantan prince. “That seems to be why they are reluctant to have the Sultan dissolve the assembly.”

“This is not good and I fear for the future,” continued Tengku Razaleigh. “I have no claim for the throne anywhere so I can be frank but I would like to see the monarchy strong. It's unfortunate that it happened the way it did in Perak. But still it depends on what he (the Sultan) will do next.”

For Tengku Razaleigh, the solution is simple. “The rakyat (people) of Perak are his subjects,” he said, referring to Perak's monarch. “So in the end, he has to side with his people.”

In fact, Tengku Razaleigh thinks that Umno should take the lead in the matter. “Umno should be magnanimous and be the first to call for elections,” he noted. “It would be an elegant solution and it would certainly save the Ruler further embarrassment.”