S'pore party says Umno capable of championing Malay rights

KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore Malay National Organisation looks up to Umno as a party that is capable of championing the cause of the Malays in Malaysia.

Its deputy president, Ismail Mohamed Yaacob who was invited to attend the official opening of the 2016 Umno General Assembly, here yesterday said a party like Umno was crucial in defending the survival of the Malays in facing major challenges currently.

"The Malays must be united because I do not want to see the Malays being oppressed in future if they are divided," he told Bernama, saying that he shed tears when listening to the speech by Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who wanted the Malay struggle to be defended.

Kenya's Wiper Democratic Movement Party member Dr Julius Makau Macombe, who was impressed by Najib's call to the Umno members to show their loyalty, said it was imperative for them to do so despite being hit by internal problems that could jeorpadise the party.

"Members need to stay united and solve the problem internally rather than leaving the party," he said.

Member of Partai NasDem from Indonesia, Lathifa Marina Al Anshor was in awe with Umno members' spirit throughout the assembly yesterday.

"I got goosebumps while listening to Najib's powerful speech especially when it comes to the point where he urged Umno members to stay united," she said, adding that Najib's vision to transform the country when he touched on the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) also caught her attention. - Bernama