PETALING JAYA: An Umno Youth leader has urged his party to ensure that its views on the economy are heard to prevent it from heading down the path to irrelevance.
Umno Youth permanent chairman Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the party should be concerned that it was no longer represented in the finance ministry following the Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week.
The reshuffle saw former party secretary-general and deputy finance minister Ahmad Maslan reassigned as the deputy works minister.
Wan Agyl said the appointment of former second finance minister Johari Ghani as the new plantation and commodities minister also meant it would be harder for the people to hear Umno’s views on the economy.
“When it comes to talking about the economy in the Dewan Rakyat, Johari is Umno’s star man. But in the Cabinet there’s collective responsibility. That means the public may not be able to hear his views on issues affecting the economy,” he told FMT.
“That leaves a hole in Umno’s line-up that will not be easy to fill, especially when the party is already struggling to connect with the public.”
Wan Agyl said given the importance of the economy to voters, Umno must find a way to make its voice heard.
“We must keep an eye on the next election. We’re in a tough spot and the recent election results are proof of this.”
Umno has suffered heavy defeats in recent polls, including the six state elections where the party won only 19 of the 108 seats it contested.
Wan Agyl said the situation should serve as a wake-up call for Umno to reinvent itself and draw talent into the party.
“Umno must prove to the people that it can change and is worthy of leading the government once again.
“But the key to this is recognising and accepting a diversity of views and doing away with the politics of old,” he said. - FMT
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