Understand why voters rejected you, Umno told

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's speech at the party's 2026 general assembly was likened to that of a prime minister-in-waiting and a government-in-waiting, according to an analyst. To regain voter trust, Umno must first understand why they were rejected in the 2022 general election, said analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting.

Sabri questioned what Umno has to offer in terms of the economy and whether they have learned from past mistakes. Despite Umno's government experience, Sabri noted that the party can only boast of its past leadership. Barisan Nasional held power for 60 years before losing to Pakatan Harapan in 2018. Sabri warned that Umno's past failures in managing government-linked companies, such as Felda and Tabung Haji, must be addressed.

The party must demonstrate that it has learned from these mistakes and that leaders will be held accountable for failures. Zaharuddin emphasized that Umno must present a more convincing economic plan focused on merit rather than political appointments. Awang Azman Pawi, a socio-political analyst from Universiti Malaya, suggested that Umno could regain voter confidence by admitting its shortcomings and demonstrating maturity in governance.

Pawi highlighted issues like Felda and Tabung Haji controversies as factors affecting public trust. He believed that admitting to mistakes is not weakening Umno but rather a sign of readiness to govern better. Pawi also stressed the importance of combining Umno's government experience with a new generation of leaders and policies relevant to the people.