Don't let rivals' narratives divide Umno, veterans warn
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must not allow political pressure from its opponents to divide the party or turn its own members into conduits for narratives built by its rivals, said Veteran Umno.
Veterans of Umno have warned against the dangers of political pressure from rival parties dividing the party and its members. At the 2026 Umno General Assembly, committee member Datuk Adam Abd Hamid emphasized the need for unity in the face of attacks from the opposition party Pakatan Harapan. He stated that while the party won't defend wrongdoing, it must defend principles like justice, transparency in legal processes, and the right to be free from punishment based on perception.
Adam stressed that as Umno grows stronger, the intensity of attacks will increase, making party unity an essential defense mechanism. He proposed that Umno should lead efforts to realign Malay-Muslim political strength based on the Federal Constitution, people's interests, and national stability. This realignment should not be based on hostility towards other races but on consolidating political strength while maintaining justice and the prosperity of a multiracial society.
Adam cautioned that prolonged divisions would weaken Malay bargaining power and give others control over the country's political agenda. He called for strategic understanding and negotiations with Perikatan Nasional (PN) to avoid clashes that could split the Malay-Muslim vote. Cooperation should be based on sincerity, mutual respect, and recognizing Umno's strength and shared interests. Both sides should focus on areas where cooperation benefits the Malay community, such as economic issues and food security.
He emphasized that Umno's experience with Pakatan Harapan showed that cooperation without sincerity, mutual respect, and reciprocity would weaken the party's identity and position. Adam also advocated for formally including veterans in Umno's election machinery at various levels to leverage their experience, community networks, and relationships with traditional voters. He believed that veterans' input could complement modern campaigning methods and help rebuild public confidence in the party.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
