Umno will ensure Malaysia is for all, not just Malays, says Tok Mat

 The Umno deputy president reminds members that their actions must never create concern among non-Malays and those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan also warned those who wish to work with Umno not to impose ‘conservative’ or ‘radical’ ideologies on the party.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Umno remains a centrist party for all Malaysians, not just the Malays, said party deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

Opening the general assemblies of the Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno wings here tonight, Mohamad said the party would ensure the country was a “homeland for all, prosperous, and carefully managed, in line with the Federal Constitution”.

“We must never think that our constituents consist only of Malays. Our actions and conduct must never create concern among non-Malays and our friends in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, reminded delegates that Umno needed the confidence of non-Malays and parties in Sabah and Sarawak to form the government amid “chaotic” Malaysian politics.

“They have now become the deciding forces. The time when we regarded them as fixed deposits is a thing of the past,” he said.

Noting concerns expressed by non-Malays about the country’s direction given the dominance of Malay-Muslim politics, Mohamad said Umno had always been a centrist party.

“Our ideology is centrism. I repeat: Umno will always take the middle path. We will not lean to the left or right. Our commitment is to balance ideas from both the left and right as a moderate national party,” he said.

Mohamad also warned potential partners of Umno against imposing “conservative” or “radical” ideologies on the party.

“For decades, we have managed and governed the country with moderate attitudes, policies, positions and priorities. Therefore, anyone who wishes to cooperate with Umno must accept Umno’s moderate, middle-ground approach,” he said. - FMT