KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 — As long as Umno is in power, the Malays will lack the ability to think for themselves due to the party’s insecurities and anger, former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim warned today.

The former Umno minister also warned that the party will lead the country to an Islamic rule akin to Saudi Arabia and Iran, rather than other more moderate Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Turkey and Tunisia.

“Follow Umno and they will have a Saudi or Iranian version of Islamic rule, where corrupt leaders continue with their lavish ways and the people are left to fight amongst themselves about what Islam truly means,” Zaid wrote in a post titled “The Malays’ path to democracy”.

Zaid said keeping Umno in power will produce more Malays like those who joined Malay rights group Perkasa, noting that both the nationalist party and the group share similar sentiments.

“Unlike duriing my time, the Malays they produce now cannot think straight. They certainly lack the ability to think for themselves,” the former de facto law minister said.

He said it was different to the party’s early years, where it would urge Malays towards a “mental revolution”, including through a book titled Revolusi Mental (Mental Revolution) which allegedly called on Malays to be rational and mentally strong to realise their full human potential.

“It was an inspiring, thought-provoking and peaceful message. But the Umno under Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is full of insecurities and anger, and always seems to be inciting Malays to do stupid things,” he claimed, referring to Umno’s president and his deputy.

“Perkasa is the product of this new false ideology they are spreading,” he added.

As a solution against rising Islamisation spearheaded by Umno, Zaid suggested that Umno’s rival PAS declare the Federal Constitution as “Islamic” and strive to honour and observe the Constitution as it stands.

“It’s not easy, but PAS’s only hope to power by democratic means is to follow Indonesia, Tunisia or Turkey. Malaysia’s only hope for a democracy lies in the time when there will be more Malays who understand the thinking of the Muslims in these countries,” said Zaid.