Rapt attention: Participants and audience members at the Umno General Assembly listening as Umno president Ahmad Zahid gives his opening speech at World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Delegates at the Umno general assembly engaged in colourful debates on various issues following the party president’s policy address.
On the issue of Malay unity, a Kedah Umno delegate likened the forgiving nature of party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to that of the Malay folklore figure Hang Jebat
Pokok Sena Umno deputy chief Noran Zamini Jamaluddin said this was especially evident with how Ahmad Zahid had welcomed former Umno leaders despite past conflicts.
He referenced how Hang Jebat, who was hanging on to his life after being stabbed by long-time compatriot Hang Tuah, still had the heart to forgive him for the act.
“If we observe closely, this can be seen through what our president has done.
“No matter how much you fight with him, he still keeps the door to Umno open,” he said when debating the president’s policy speech at the Umno general assembly yesterday.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid said that Umno would open its doors wide open and had formed a committee to allow re-entry of former leaders back into its fold.
Meanwhile, a Selangor Umno delegate slammed the party’s critics, saying that those who continue to play up “UMDAP” (Umno-DAP) sentiments are bankrupt of ideas.
Selayang Umno chief Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican said working together with DAP did not stop Umno from taking a firm stand on matters that touched on race, religion and the Rulers.
“Yes, there are many upset with us for working together as we have been enemies for the longest time.
“We have not only spoken up but we have been influential in ensuring matters like local elections and establishing Chinese new villages as Unesco heritage sites were not pursued.
“The same goes for the Urban Renewal Act (URA) and the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC),” he said.
UMDAP is a term coined to poke fun at Umno’s cooperation with DAP, as the two parties have long opposed each other.
Hasnal Rezua Merican said critics also accused the party of many things, even insulting the leadership of being lackeys.
“Even worse is that the people spreading these matters are supposedly highly educated. Whenever I confronted them and shared my views on social media, some even deleted my comments and blocked me,” he said.
He added that such views have even led to narratives that there were two factions within Umno, likening it to fried chicken.
“They say that those opposing the cooperation with Pakatan Harapan are ‘original’ while those supporting it are ‘hot and spicy’.
Wanita Umno information chief Datuk Rosni Zahari urged for the Political Funding Act to be enacted to preserve the democratic processes in the country.
Rosni, who is also Maran Wanita Umno chief, said that a law that can regulate political funding will ensure Umno can continue to assist the people with honesty and integrity as well as introduce a healthy competition among political parties.
“We are not against receiving funds, but we want to prevent politics that are influenced by the wealthy,” she said.
She also called on Umno to amend the party constitution to make it compulsory to pick candidates from the Wanita wing in the next general election.
Lembah Pantai Umno chief Tengku Datuk Zuhri Tengku Abdul Aziz said the party must work towards gaining support from “urban-minded” voters.
“They are present even in rural areas. Winning them over is not a 14-day project, but something that will require groundwork for years.
“We must begin now,” he said.
