Umno heads into 2020 with a more united, inclusive image

UMNO AGM | Umno is heading into the next decade with a more united and inclusive image following the close of its 2019 general assembly today.

While it still made jabs aimed at DAP and Pakatan Harapan, these were far more reserved compared to previous years when then Umno president Najib Abdul Razak sought to paint DAP as an anti-Malay anti-Islam bogeyman.

Instead, the party under a reinvigorated Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, focused most of its attention inwards, on strengthening the party for the next general election.

Flexing his muscles, Zahid made it clear that he was the one in charge of the party and that it would not be entering the government through the "back door".

All MPs, including those allegedly plotting to form a "backdoor government", were all made to swear an oath that they would only take power legitimately.

Meanwhile, party leaders and delegates also worked to strengthen their alliance with PAS under their Muafakat Nasional pact, with one delegate telling the Malay-party to be ready to give up some seats to its new partner.

The party even amended its constitution, to put Islam before race.

But while this may be viewed by some as the party becoming more hardline, Umno is instead trying to show itself as a more inclusive party.

The debates, meanwhile, saw two firsts for the party. It started with the Youth wing having its first Christian delegate - Busiau Ampirak from Sabah - partaking in the wing's debate.

Later, in the main body, the party had its first Orang Asli delegate speaker in the form of Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor.

Umno is also taking steps to reform itself structurally.

It's amended its constitution to lower the membership age from 18 to 16 in an effort to tap youth supporters who can now vote when they turn 18.

The role of women in the party was also given more prominence after another party constitutional amendment raised the Wanita Umno chief position to be on par with that of the main body's deputy president.

The move to be more inclusive is perhaps best encapsulated by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who told the party to not be "race heroes" as this would negatively affect the party's efforts to rise up again. - Mkini