Umno must lead again than play 'second fiddle' - Johor Umno leader

A Johor Umno delegate called on the party to chart a long-term strategy that will once again position the BN backbone as the leader of any political alignments and avoid being a "second fiddle" to other larger parties.

Pasir Gudang Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros warned there will be no reason for the Malays to choose to be led by Umno if it only acts as a supporting party in any government.

"Therefore, Johor Umno urges that behind any political alignments or new dynamics for Umno in the unity government, effective long-term strategies must follow it to once again place the party at the pinnacle of power.

"There must be a strategic plan for Umno to return as the main party leading the government.

"This is so Umno can make a comeback as the leading political force in the nation's political arena," said Noor Azlene.

Noor Azlene, who failed to unseat Harapan's Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim in the last 15th general elections, made the call as one of four suggestions presented to Umno to chart the party's future.

Ahead of the upcoming six state elections, BN's first test with new allies from Harapan and others in government, Noor Azlene stressed Umno must make clear that their position is based on an alignment of political interests and not the party's principles and values.

"Umno must be pragmatic in its political strategies and approaches.

"However, Johor Umno once again stress that there must be no compromise on matters related to the position, interests and development of Malays and Islam, as well other matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he stressed.

Noor Azlene, who described the unity government as a "fragile coalition" still in the early stages of finding their common grounds, also cautioned Umno against speaking up on behalf of other parties that may not share its core values.

"And vice-versa. No other party has the right to be Umno's spokesperson," he added.

'Umno lost Malay support'

Further, Noor Azlene reminded that Umno's biggest challenge remains to regain Malay support, which it had lost even before GE15.

He said the party’s move to unite with former rivals with contradicting values had continued to trigger dissatisfaction.

Despite now being in government, Noor Azlene warned that Umno will not survive unless it regains Malay support.

"History has taught us that Umno today needs Malays more than the Malays need Umno.

"We (Umno) need them (Malays) more than they need us," he said.

The Umno AGM 2023 is the party's first since its GE15 defeat and subsequent move to work with its former rivals, most notably from the DAP.

Both party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Mohamad Hassan had, in addressing the delegates, collectively urged for members to move on from their past rivalries. - Mkini