KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must urgently reform and recalibrate its political approach following its sobering performance in the recent Sabah state election, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Umno deputy president said the outcome of the Sabah election in November last year, reflected a wider global trend of voters rejecting established ruling parties amid mounting economic and social pressures.
He said the phenomenon, known as the “anti-incumbency wave,” has seen long-standing governments and established political giants fall one after another.
“If we open our eyes to what is happening globally, it becomes clear that our anxieties are not isolated.
“Recent years have witnessed what can be described as a ‘global electoral wave.’ This was displayed from Europe to America; from Asia to the Middle East; a deeply worrying trend is emerging,” he said during his opening speech during the simultaneous launch of Youth, Wanita, and Puteri wing assemblies at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here, on Wednesday (Jan 14).
Mohamed, who is also the Foreign Minister, said the new phenomenon proved that the voters do not care about the history of political parties when they were burdened by the rising cost of living, inflation and economic uncertainty.
“Voters have become impatient. They no longer care which party once fought for independence or built the nation.
“When their stomachs are empty, they will punish those in power. This global wave of anger has now reached our shores,” he said.
Mohamad said the outcome of the Sabah state election was not an ordinary defeat and that Peninsular-based parties from the unity coalition were rejected outright by the voters.
“Let us analyse it with open eyes. DAP returned empty-handed. PKR barely survived. Umno won. But the numbers were not something to boast about. The party secured only five seats out of dozens contested,” he added.
Sabah was once Umno's strongest stronghold, Mohamad said, with the largest membership and the highest number of divisions.
“Today, our position and reality are very different. The people of Sabah chose to reject us. They opted for local alliances that better matched local sentiments.
“It has shown that many issues have yet to be managed effectively. The party has not recovered, there is much that still needs to be improved and strengthened,” he said.
Mohamad called on members to accept such defeat openly with humility, as the party no longer appears strong or convincing in defending Sabah’s interests for the Sabah people.
“We have been too absorbed in national issues, without firmly advancing a clear and comprehensive Sabah agenda for Sabahans.
“We failed to read a rapidly changing environment. That is why we were punished by the people of Sabah,” he said.
