‘Forever centrist’: Tok Mat insists Umno won’t veer left or right

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Deputy President of Umno, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, known as Tok Mat, has assured non-Malays and bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak that the party will remain centrist and moderate. He emphasized that Umno’s ideology is rooted in centrism and that the party will continue to adopt a middle ground as a national party.

"My emphasis is that Umno will forever be centrist. Our ideology is centrism," Tok Mat stated during his speech at the simultaneous opening of the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri Umno general assemblies. He also assured that the party will not lean towards the political left or right, but instead seek to balance ideas from both sides while maintaining a moderate national stance.

Tok Mat reiterated that Umno's political position has been tested over decades through its experience in governing the country with moderate policies and priorities. He urged those who wish to work with Umno to accept the party's moderation and centrist approach, noting that no one can impose their conservative or radical ideology onto Umno.

Additionally, he sought to reassure non-Malays and non-Muslim bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak that the party's focus on Malay politics would not compromise their rights and interests. According to Tok Mat, Malays will continue to serve as the "indigenous nation," ensuring a prosperous and carefully managed homeland for all, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

He emphasized that Umno’s pledge is for a fair and united Malaysia, and the party will manage Malay politics maturely without becoming a burden or threat to non-Malays and non-Muslim bumiputera.