11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Umno patriotic school to build consistent, principled future leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of Umno Patriotic School (SPU) will help produce party assets who are steadfast in their struggles and stand firm in their principles.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said with SPU, the party can avoid the risk of having inconsistent or unprincipled leaders in the future.
"SPU is Umno's future asset. We want to shape leaders and members who are consistent.
"We don't want to produce 'lalang', jumping parties with the slightest threat," he said in his speech at Umno 79th Anniversary celebrations and the inaugural SPU Malaysia Convocation.
Also present were party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Ghani, and secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Wan Rosdy who is also chairman of SPU's board of governors said the school is not a seasonal initiative or pilot programme but a long-term, structured and consistent political education system.
He said that SPU is not just another training programme but a vital initiative in grooming disciplined, principled, and resilient Umno leaders.
"SPU is a key part of the 'Umno Moving Forward' vision. It represents a major shift in party reform.
"It's not solely focused on election strategy, but also on grassroots strength and the quality of future leadership," he said.
Wan Rosdy added that SPU is a special project born from the vision and thinking of the party president.
He also said that the participants had undergone intensive modules to prove their capability as future leaders.
"Some of them were involved in the recent Ayer Kuning by-election and performed well, including in attracting voters to support Umno," he said.
A total of 48 participants completed their training and received their certificates from SPU, while the second cohort of 62 trainees has already begun their programme.
