Umno must remain united to win big in GE16, says Tok Mat

KOTA TINGGI: Umno must remain united if the party plans to win big in the coming 16th General Election, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Umno deputy president said he is also ready to defend his current position in the party in the next leadership election in 2026.

“Our party must be strengthened if we are planning to face any state or general elections; we will only suffer losses if we remain fractured and divided.

“The process to select leadership is a normal procedure in any political party that practices democracy, including Umno; it is the process to select the best among the best.

“The real strength of Umno is its unity; back then, we were not a rich party, but we were given the trust of the people to govern the country well,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating at the Tenggara Umno division meeting at Dewan Felda Sungai Sayong, here, on Saturday (July 13).

Mohamad said this when asked to comment on Tenggara Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba’s speech, who proposed a motion to allow the party president and deputy president positions to be contested.

“Come 2026, whoever wants to contest for this position, come forward, be it Dr Adham (or anyone else), ‘kita bersilat’ (we fight),” he quipped.

He added that the most important thing is to ensure that the party remains united.

“The maturity period for the current unity government is in December 2027, while the Johor state government is in March 2027, based on the previous state and general election.

“If we are planning to win in these coming elections, we must act now, especially in wooing young voters,” he said.