‘Umno needs to be more dynamic to attract youth’
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno needs to adopt a more liberal and dynamic approach in handling various issues, in line with the current political scenario.
The Council of Former Elected Representatives president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman said Umno could do this without losing its identity as a champion of Malay rights and protector of Islam as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
He said the youth had a different perspective on issues, especially those concerning race and religion.
“They are more open to accepting things. If Umno wants to win over this group, it has to restrategise and adapt to the current trends.”
He said this when asked to comment on former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement that Umno was at a crossroads, but the party was stuck in its old mindset.
Khairy had said Umno could forget about reclaiming Putrajaya if it continued to harp on issues such as the appointments of non-Malays as attorney-general, chief justice and others.
Aziz said Khairy’s views were spot on as he understood what the youth wanted.
He said Khairy had seen how Pakatan Harapan had captured the imagination of the younger generation by offering them what they desired.
“Pakatan Harapan formed the government by providing the youth an alternative.
“The strict ideological war strategy adopted by Umno cannot work anymore... the party has to come up with a new strategy.”