Tok Mat: Umno 'anchor' that keeps nation's 'ship' from sinking

 

UMNO AGM | Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has likened the party’s position in government to an “anchor” that ensures the nation, which he described as a “ship”, remains afloat.

In his speech to open the party’s youth, women, and young women wings general assembly, Mohamad described Umno’s role in government as its “contribution” to the people.

“And we do not need to apologise for that (remaining in government),” stressed Mohamad, who is also the foreign minister.

He reminded delegates gathered at the party’s headquarters that governing the country is “about reading, understanding, and translating Malaysia’s needs in the best and most careful way”.

By doing so, he said, would ensure not only benefits for the present generation, but also the future.

“So, governing the country, in my view, in short, is about how Umno maximises our position as a middle power and balancing force - and acts as a responsible political party,” he stressed.

The Umno AGM 2025 is convened amid internal calls, led by Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, for the party to review its position in government.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the party’s political bureau had rejected Akmal’s call and subsequently reaffirmed support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.

Mohamad, in his speech, did not single out any individual critics but issued a general advice to all members on how “anger must be laced with strategy” and “courage must be laced with responsibility”.

“So, where are we headed? Are we going to leave the government tomorrow and let the country descend into chaos?

“No. That is the path of those who give in to emotion - not the work of statesmen. As the elders say: Think long, act wisely,” he said.

Political differences, cooperation

Mohamad also warned that political differences left unmanaged and without wisdom could lead to the fall of a government, citing lessons from modern world history.

In the context of political cooperation, Mohamad stressed that Umno’s participation in the unity government does not mean the party will compromise on its core principles.

Among those he emphasised were what he described as Umno’s “red lines” - involving Malay and bumiputera special rights, Islam’s position as the religion of the federation, and the sovereignty of the Malay rulers.

Mohamad cautioned partners in government not to assume Umno has “lost its bite” simply because it is in the cabinet.

“Don’t think that because we want political stability, we will close our eyes when the foundations of the country are undermined. Umno will not remain silent,” he said.

Mohamad stressed that Umno is ready to cooperate for the sake of the people and the country, but will rise to oppose anyone - friend or foe - who attempts to challenge those three key pillars.

Check and balance

To counter the perception that Umno is merely following its coalition partners, Mohamad stressed that the party plays a strong check-and-balance role within the government.

“Listen carefully. Don’t anyone think Umno is ‘melukut di tepi gantang’ (unimportant).

“Umno is the most effective check and balance from within the government.

“Even though we don’t have many seats, our voice in the Cabinet is the decisive voice,” he said.

Mohamad added that Umno always ensures that no extreme policies or policies that harm the Malays are passed without resistance. - Mkini