Selangor Umno should be dissolved and restructured following disappointing results in the 2008 and 2013 general elections, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In his blog posting, the former prime minister said Selangor Umno leaders had to face up to reality and step down from their positions.
"They lost in the 12th and 13th general elections, they failed to wrest Malaysia's wealthiest state back from Pakatan Rakyat," Dr Mahathir said.
Dr Mahathir's comments come a week after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak lamented how embarrassed he was that Barisan Nasional (BN) was the opposition in Selangor.
Najib said he felt tired as it was humiliating that BN is mentioned as the opposition in Selangor.
In the 13th general election last year, BN won four parliamentary seats – Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Tanjung Karang and Sungai Besar – and eight state seats – Sungai Air Tawar, Sungai Panjang, Semenyih, Dengkil, Jeram, Bukit Malawati, Sungai Burong and Permatang.
In GE13, Pakatan Rakyat won 17 parliamentary seats and 43 state seats.
"Today, even if we wanted to choose a candidate for the position of state Menteri Besar, there are no suitable candidates," Dr Mahathir said.
"This would not be an issue if Selangor Umno was prepared to accept new members but it will not happen as Selangor Umno leaders are afraid of being challenged.
"They are afraid that the entry of fresh members might cause them to lose their positions or not be nominated to stand as candidates in the general election."
Dr Mahathir added that Selangor Umno leaders were more intent on strengthening their position instead of the party.
"In order to carry out reforms in Selangor Umno, the first major change which must be implemented is the acceptance of new members.
"However, the new members should be carefully vetted by a body comprising veteran Umno members and members from other divisions."
Dr Mahathir said vetting was necessary as there were always certain quarters who wanted to manipulate Umno for their own personal agenda.
"Next on the list is focusing on the so-called Gen-Y. At the next general election, it is estimated that 2.5 million young voters will be casting their votes," he said.
Dr Mahathir said the Gen-Y voters were not interested in Umno as many of them who had studied abroad had absorbed Western values and cultures.
"For the Gen-Y voters, many of them do not appreciate what the party and nation's leaders have given in terms of educational opportunities.
"Even if the good deeds of Umno were mentioned to them, the Gen-Y would ignore this reminder and wonder why history was being revisited.
"In their minds, it is immaterial which party forms the government as they feel nothing will change," Dr Mahathir said.
He added that Selangor Umno also needed to do a lot more to attract Malay youths to join the party, including getting closer to those who are anti-Umno.
"Umno leaders should have a deep grasp and understanding of the party's history," Dr Mahathir said, adding the party leaders should be sent for courses.
He said Umno had to shed its reputation or image of being a corrupt party, and that its leaders had to lead a moderate lifestyle.
"They need to go down to the ground and build a closer rapport with the public. Do not drive luxury cars when going to the villages."
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