KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a comprehensive rebranding of Umno ahead of the next general election, saying the party needed to prove its value to the people.
The Umno president said the exercise must start with the party transforming from within.
“Umno can no longer rely on nostalgia and slogans. We must prove that the party is able to provide a new value proposition to the people.
“The rebranding effort needs to be followed by a disciplined internal transformation, not temporary but a total cultural change without fear or favour,” he said in his policy address at the Umno General Assembly here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid cautioned that the gap between the people’s wants and party’s actions was widening.
“People are not satisfied with mere welfare services. They want a comprehensive solution to their problems.
“Umno needs to honestly read current sentiments and dare to change itself to keep with the people’s aspirations... if we want to fully restore the people’s trust in us,” he added.
All for one: Ahmad Zahid with his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at the opening of the Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
The Deputy Prime Minister said Malaysia is facing a new political landscape and Umno must be prepared for political anomalies which were becoming normal.
He said present-day politics no longer followed familiar patterns, with allies turning into adversaries and cooperation shaped by convenience rather than principles.
“We are now facing the abnormality of politics. Those who were once friends have become enemies. Some will stab you from the front and others from the back,” he said.
Citing the recent Sabah state polls, he said Umno decided to oppose Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) but some members were willing to share a stage with them.
“In the end, when it came to forming the state government, everyone sat at the same table in the name of political stability. That is the reality of politics today,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid predicted that this could happen more frequently in the future, with cooperation at the federal level not necessarily reflected at the state level and vice versa, noting that what is agreed in Putrajaya might not be mirrored in the states.
Reiterating that Umno must accept this reality as it prepares for the 16th General Election (GE16), he urged members to remain united and disciplined to face the political reality.
“As we move towards GE16, we must be ready to confront whatever political abnormalities that emerge,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, told component parties to remain in the coalition and stop sulking, advising those who planned to leave the coalition to reconcile.
“We are siblings. When you are done moping, lets hug and stay in this big house,” he said.
He said Umno had never discarded its stand during the last general election and policy of “No Anwar, No DAP.”
He said Barisan had decided to go it alone in GE15 in 2022 but the coalition was called by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form a government with Pakatan Harapan.
Ahmad Zahid admitted that Umno had received multiple offers to form a new political partnership, but said the party remained committed to the unity government.
“To this day, Umno continues to uphold its national responsibilities,” he said.
