Zahid takes swipe at Anwar, says Umno can do better than ‘guru’

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi criticized Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, referring to him as "guru" (teacher), and stated that his party could perform better than the leader. In his opening speech at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Zahid urged Anwar to listen to the people's voices and work toward resolving uncertainties surrounding government policies, particularly on taxation.

He emphasized that his criticism was not meant to incite hostility or undermine anyone, but rather to ensure that everyone feels secure and that there is no endless confusion.

Zahid also voiced his concern that enforcement agencies should not be used as political tools, as there have been recent rumors about the potential arrest of senior Umno leaders after the general assembly. He stressed that such individuals should be treated fairly and not subjected to orange or purple uniforms, which are typically worn by those detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or the police.

Additionally, Zahid called for the 16th general election to be held sooner and emphasized that Umno and BN are prepared to seek a fresh mandate. He suggested that the two parties could collaborate through a "grand cooperation" based on mutual understanding, rather than undergoing formal mergers. This collaboration would prevent electoral clashes that would benefit neither side and allow both parties to maintain their distinct identities.

The ultimate goal of Umno, according to Zahid, is to restore BN to federal power and implement what he referred to as the "Malaysia Blue Agenda" before the country's centenary of independence. This agenda would focus on various aspects, such as generating wealth, rebuilding human capital, increasing ownership, protecting welfare, preparing for crises, caring for the people, restoring trust, and safeguarding national interests.