Umno 'big home' for Malays, Zahid moots 'unification' committee

 

UMNO AGM | Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced that the party will form a new committee dubbed the “Rumah Bangsa Unification Committee” as part of efforts to restore Malay political unity.

The deputy prime minister said this includes opening the door for individuals or groups that previously left the party to return to Umno.

Speaking during his presidential policy speech today, Zahid said the committee would facilitate the re-entry of certain parties, either individually or “en bloc”, in line with the aspiration to position Umno as the “big home of the Malays”.

“That is why the committee will be established to accept the entry or re-participation of any party,” he said.

Leading up to his announcement today, Zahid called on 6,412 delegates gathered in Dewan Merdeka at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur to reflect on Umno’s position in the current political reality.

“Umno’s responsibility today is far greater because Umno is the ‘home’ for the Malays - a place to reunite the Malays.

“Not through angry rhetoric, not through historical grudges, but through a clear direction and a big-hearted spirit,” he said.

“The idea of a ‘big umbrella’ for the Malays has been attempted without Umno before. But history has proven it did not receive support.

“That umbrella collapsed because it was not anchored to its original home. Why rely on an umbrella when the house already stands tall and beautiful?” he asked.

The original that spawned many

Zahid noted that from Umno emerged various Malay parties and movements, including PAS, Semangat 46, PKR, Bersatu, Pejuang, Warisan, GRS, and even Gabungan Parti Sarawak with the same national spirit.

“Some were born out of conflict and disappointment; others arose from differences in direction and platforms that could not align.

“This is not a history to be arrogantly proud of, but one that must be reflected upon with humility,” he said, stressing that Malay-Islam politics cannot remain fragmented.

In a further reflection, Zahid insisted that Umno is the original home of Malay politics, from which the nation’s independence, Constitution, as well as the principle of upholding Islam and the Malay rulers had emerged.

Time to clean house

“This house is not merely walls and a roof - it is the axis of a nation-state, a canopy that shelters people of all religions, races, and cultures.

“But this house must be protected. We cannot simply stand idle when the roof starts to leak, and the floor begins to rot.

“This house must be cleansed of the dust of arrogance, so it can once again become a comfortable shelter for all the nation’s children, regardless of rank or status,” he stressed.

Moving towards the 16th general election, Zahid also listed a series of “refurbishment” tasks for Umno, including hosting a national dialogue on the Malay political agenda. - Mkini