KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi spoke as one who is “Prime Minister in waiting”, says former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin on the sidelines of the party’s general assembly on Friday (Sept 11).
“I summarise this speech as a speech from a Prime Minister in waiting, from a government in waiting,” he told reporters after Ahmad Zahid’s speech.
Khairy said the speech gave a clear outline of the direction of Umno and Barisan Nasional for the next general election.
Meanwhile, Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said political rivals should return, calling for Umno to become “one big family”.
“We all welcome them to come back. We want one big family,” he said when asked about political rivals.
On the presence of PAS leaders at the Umno general assembly, Tengku Razaleigh said he viewed it positively.
“Good. I think that is good. We can unite again,” he said.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said Ahmad Zahid’s address reflected what the rakyat really longed for, adding that the matters raised allowed voters to see Umno and Barisan Nasional as the best possible options for them.
“That is the reality now. The president only presents facts. The rakyat no longer wants rhetorical politics that only makes promises,” he said.
In his presidential address, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan chairman, announced plans to launch the “Blue Malaysia Agenda” to chart the nation’s long-term future leading up to the 100th anniversary of Merdeka.
He said the agenda would outline a vision for a sovereign, united and high-income nation driven by economic innovation, global prestige and equitable prosperity, with its full details to be unveiled in due course.
