Umno still relevant and steadfast in its struggle, says Tok Mat on party's 79th anniversary
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan ( pic ) has acknowledged the party's past missteps but pledged that it will remain steadfast in its struggle.
He said despite its highs and lows, Umno continues to be relevant and is determined to help build a more prosperous Malaysia.
'Today, Umno still stands - not perfect, but steadfast in its struggle. We admit the weaknesses and errors that have occurred.
'But like a shady tree that continues to provide shelter, Umno remains relevant in shaping Malaysia's future,' he said in a statement marking Umno's 79th anniversary on Sunday (May 11).
Calling on party members to renew their resolve, Mohamad urged for unity and reflection to ensure that Umno's struggle continues to be meaningful for future generations.
'As Umno's deputy president, I urge all members to strengthen our unity and use our history as a guide - not just for us, but for the generations to come,' he added.
Tracing Umno's roots back to 1946, Mohamad reflected on its founding as a nationalist movement united against the Malayan Union, emphasising that its birth was not about power but dignity and the rights of the Malay people.
'Umno was born out of nationalistic spirit and deep love for the homeland. From Datuk Onn Jaafar's voice to Tunku Abdul Rahman's call for Merdeka, Umno was the heartbeat of independence, the architect of the Constitution and the driving force behind modern Malaysia,' he added.
He said Umno's leadership in securing independence and spearheading national development cannot be understated, having steered the nation through the volatile post-colonial era into the modern age.
For nearly eight decades, Mohamad said, Umno has remained the cornerstone of national stability and Malay political identity.
He also expressed gratitude to party members for their unwavering loyalty, sacrifices and trust, which he said have been key to Umno's endurance.
'Let us continue to strengthen unity and fight for a brighter future for Malaysia. Happy 79th Anniversary, Umno. United, Loyal, Serving - for religion, race and country,' Mohamad said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Salleh moots friendly fights in overlapping seats for Sabah polls
Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said factors to be considered before deciding on friendly races include past election results, local support levels, proposed candidates, and potential seat swaps. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA : A Sabah Umno leader has proposed that parties contesting the upcoming state election consider friendly races in overlapping seats while remaining united in their overall goals. Salleh Said Keruak, the Sabah Umno treasurer, said rather than letting overlaps cause friction or lead to proxy independent candidates, it would be more constructive to consider friendly contests. 'A friendly contest is not a free-for-all. It's a planned, respectful arrangement where parties agree to contest the same seat, with the understanding that whoever wins, the seat remains part of the coalition,' he said in a Facebook post. He said that to manage the arrangement effectively, parties must balance political realism with respect for one another's grassroots presence. 'Friendly contests are not about ego – they're about finding practical solutions on the ground. 'If at least half of Sabah's 73 state seats can be settled without overlaps, that already builds a strong foundation. For the rest, friendly contests should only be used when negotiations don't produce agreements, and even then, only with a clear understanding,' he said. Salleh, a former chief minister, said factors to be considered before deciding on friendly races included past election results, local support levels, proposed candidates, and potential seat swaps. He said this approach, which was also taken in countries like India, Germany, and Indonesia, would help reduce tension among party machineries, maintain unity, and give voters clarity. 'Some may argue that it's better to go solo and form a coalition after the election. But that creates uncertainty – for voters, candidates, and future governance. It opens the door to personal agendas and unstable post-election deals. 'A pre-election coalition gives clarity, builds trust, and leads to more stable outcomes,' he said. Last week, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said the party would not work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah in the state election and would only consider joining forces with the coalition after the outcome of the polls. GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said on Thursday that the coalition would only decide on its alliances for the state election at its Supreme Council meeting after Aidiladha. While Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have already announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, talks are said to be ongoing to rope GRS into the pact.
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah PKR open to ‘friendly contests' in state polls if talks fail
Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud said contests among allies are common in politics. (Facebook pic) SERDANG : Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud says he is open to 'friendly contests' between allies if the ongoing negotiations over seat allocations ahead of the Sabah state election fail. Mustapha said PKR is working to prevent clashes between parties in the government coalition, and aiming for fair seat distribution without overlaps. 'We're still negotiating and doing our best to avoid contests. The goal is fair allocation without duplication,' he said. 'But if talks break down, friendly contests are an option. It's common in politics.' He did not specify which parties are involved in the negotiations. Mustapha, the deputy higher education minister, was speaking to reporters at an event at Universiti Putra Malaysia here today. Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak yesterday suggested that overlapping seats be handled through friendly contests, while maintaining unity and a shared objective. He said this approach was better than allowing internal tensions or encouraging sponsored independent candidates. Mustapha said PKR's main priority was political stability, and warned that clashes at the state level could strain relationships within the federal government. 'I urge everyone to stay open-minded. There's no benefit in fighting among ourselves and risking division. 'We want unity to continue. Avoiding unnecessary contests can help reduce friction among parties,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Abdul Raof made acting Kota Raja Umno chief
Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Megat Zulkarnain Omardin (centre) at a party event in Shah Alam last night. (Bernama pic) SHAH ALAM : The position of Kota Raja Umno chief is now held by Abdul Raof Mokhtar, according to Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Megat Zulkarnain Omardin. He said Raof, who is currently the division's deputy chief, would act in the position until the next party election. He said this followed the resignation of Kota Raja Umno chief Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who expressed his intention to join PKR on May 30. 'Automatically, the deputy chief of the (Kota Raja) Umno division will act in the position of division chief. 'We will send an official letter to Umno president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) for the matter to be brought to the Supreme Council meeting,' he said at a press conference here last night. Megat added that his friendship with Tengku Zafrul continued as usual, and called on Selangor Umno to continue working and moving forward. Tengku Zafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister, announced his resignation from Umno in a May 30 statement on Facebook, saying he had sent a letter of resignation to the party leadership on the same date. In the letter, Tengku Zafrul expressed his intention to resign as a member of the Supreme Council, Kota Raja Umno chief and party member.
