KUALA LUMPUR: Umno is open to working with any party to advance Malay-Muslim unity, but it will not allow itself to be used as a political pawn again, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Umno deputy president said the party had learnt from its victories in Johor and Negri Sembilan, as well as its defeat in Sabah, and remained open to cooperation in the interests of the Malay community and Islam.
He said Umno had never closed the door to Malay unity across party and ideological lines, adding that any party genuinely proposing such cooperation would be welcomed.
“Such cooperation must be clear,” he said in his opening speech at the simultaneous opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri annual general assemblies at the World Trade Centre (WTC) on Wednesday (Sept 9).
Mohamad said any cooperation must be based on sincere intentions and based on the strategic interests of Malay-Muslim politics, rather than being seasonal, fragmented or aimed at exploiting Umno's strengths or weaknesses.
“Umno has been played in the politics of Malay-Muslim unity before. We will not forget that bitter experience. Umno will not allow itself to be treated as a pawn again,” he said.
He added that any cooperation must also be based on Umno's “Rumah Bangsa” concept introduced by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, with the party remaining the foundation and central pillar of Malay unity.
“It was Umno that gave birth to Malay nationalism, and it will continue to be the 'umbrella' protecting Malay unity forever,” he said.
Mohamad also made clear that Umno had no intention of entering new political alliances.
“Umno does not need new political alliances. Umno will remain with Barisan Nasional, now, before and forever,” he said, to the applause of delegates.
"We stick to Barisan," he said.
Instead, he said, cooperation with other parties should remain flexible, based on understanding and loose cooperation rather than binding agreements.
“We do not like to be bound, nor do we want to bind others. Umno wants the freedom to act according to its own political calculations,” he said.
Mohamad also warned that Umno could not afford to depend on other parties or their goodwill to maintain its Malay support.
He said the party would continue building its own strength and a solid support base among Malays.
“Relying on goodwill and assistance is simply not the Umno way of thinking,” he said.
“Umno's philosophy is that it should be the one providing protection and shelter to the Malays,” he said.
