Umno chief concerned over fuel subsidies, taxes and rule of law
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has sent a strong message to a leader, accusing him of ignoring the grievances and concerns of the people.
“Enough is enough, guru!” said party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Although he did not name the leader, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, is believed to be referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The reference to “guru” was linked to a leaked telephone conversation between Zahid and Anwar in April 2021, during which Ahmad Zahid referred to Anwar as “cikgu”, or teacher.
Ahmad Zahid urged the leader to listen to the people and end an approach he described as unhealthy for the country’s development.
Ahmad Zahid asserted that Umno, alongside Barisan Nasional and its partners, could deliver better results for the nation.
“Enough is enough, guru! Listen to what we are saying. Listen to the voice of the people,” he said in his presidential address at the 2026 Umno General Assembly.
Ahmad Zahid cited several examples, including uncertainty surrounding the Budi Madani fuel subsidy quota, questioning whether allocation limits would be conveniently raised ahead of the next general election.
“Who is doing this? The teacher,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also called for a rethink of how national economic performance is measured, arguing that gross domestic product (GDP) figures do not reflect the struggles faced by households.
“While GDP is important, people do not live by GDP figures. They live on the wages they take home,” he said.
Criticising the proposed hybrid GST-SST system, he said Umno plans to bring back the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Ahmad Zahid said the party is committed to reintroducing GST at a more reasonable rate, arguing that it is a better approach than combining taxation systems.
“There is no such thing as a hybrid system. No country has a hybrid system. Bossku got it right,” he said, referring to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by the popular moniker.
In August, Anwar had said the government was open to incorporating certain GST elements into the S as part of efforts to develop a more progressive tax system.
Umno, said Ahmad Zahid, has also called for an end to the practice of using law enforcement agencies and national institutions as political tools, adding that no individuals should be unfairly “coloured” for political reasons.
“We want the rule of law, not rule by law. Good governance is not merely something to be shouted about in a manifesto.
“Rather, it is the belief that power must be exercised as a trust, and not be used as a means of oppression and persecution.
“Whoever forms the government, the country’s institutions must not be used as tools for political interests,” he added.
