No pretence between Umno and DAP, says Tok Mat

 

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan told delegates at the opening of Umno’s Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri congress that the party was focused on becoming ‘a learning political party’.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan tonight gave a frank assessment of the party’s cooperation with it’s old enemy, DAP.

Speaking at the opening of Umno’s Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri congress at the party’s general assembly here, he said there was no pretence about the party’s ties with DAP even though both parties were part of the unity government.

“Our stance must be based on political reality, and it must be adapted to the current needs and dynamics,” he said.

“We know where they stand, and they know where we stand. They’re not pretending to be friends, and we aren’t either.

“We know who DAP, PKR and Amanah are, and we’re making decisions based on the best way to manage our differences.

“But if we were with PN (Perikatan Nasional), we would just be a third player who share the same demographic interests. How will this benefit Umno in the long run?”

Our stance on DAP has made no difference

Mohamad, who is better known as Tok Mat, said that the results of the last few general elections had clearly shown that despite its treatment of DAP, support among the Malay community had not increased.

Instead, he said it had decreased, which showed that the Malay support was not incumbent on the party’s stance towards DAP.

“It (Malay support) depends on our ability to convince the Malays that Umno offers a better option to fight for the interests of the nation. This includes leading a government free from corruption and abuse of power,” he said.

Mohamad also said Umno chose not to cooperate with PN because of its experience working with the coalition in the previous government.

In a reference to PN-lynchpin Bersatu, he stressed that it was “very difficult” to cooperate with a party which was intent on “eliminating Umno forever”.

“This is similar to our experience working with PAS. They have never been loyal or sincere.”

Moving forward, he said that Umno was focused on becoming “a learning political party” which would allow generational change to happen, adding that this was something the party “desperately needs”.

Noting that the political struggle of the 21st century is about the best policies, programmes and leadership, he said that Umno would no longer focus on seniority or age.

“More importantly, it’s about turning ideas into political capital.” - FMT