Umno to the fore
Party aims to preserve spirit of multi-racial society, says Khairy
In a rallying call at its last assembly before the general election, Umno has offered itself as a party for all Malaysians and for the future. Its leaders and delegates also trained their guns on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and brushed aside talk of contests for the top two posts in next year’s party polls for the sake of unity.
Umno is a movement for the Malays, not just as an umbrella organisation to serve as a big tent for all Malays, but also the party that is the heart and soul for all Malaysians under Barisan Nasional
Malaysians are faced with two choices. On the right is a government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Barisan. On the left is a government that will be led by DAP. Are Malaysians willing to hand over the country that we have built for so long to a chauvinistic leadership? Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil
I would like to assure you that Puteri will not merajuk (sulk), Puteri will never bergasak (fight), Puteri will never close down operations rooms Puteri chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin
UMNO will march towards the 14th General Election as part of a united national front that serves as an umbrella for all Malaysians and a party for the future, said its leaders.
In their policy speeches to thousands of delegates attending the Umno General Assembly 2017, the heads of the party’s three wings also outlined the stark choice facing voters, including the Malay community, between a proven multi-racial coalition that shared power and an Opposition effectively led by DAP.
“Umno is not just an umbrella organisation for all Malays, but also the party that is the heart and soul for all Malaysians under Barisan Nasional.
“That is the sanctity of Umno – a vessel for Malays to not only take care of themselves but other races too,” said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
Umno’s struggle, he reminded the delegates, was not only for Malays and Islam, but for the spirit of a multi-racial society as well.
Khairy urged Umno Youth to help bring the Malays back to choosing Umno as their main party of choice, which would shelter all Malaysians.
“Join forces with your friends in other component parties under the Barisan banner to bring peace and progress to Malaysians of all stripes,” he said.
He said since Barisan had offered itself as the Government able to meet future challenges through its 2050 National Transformation (TN2050), Umno also needed to offer itself as a party of the future.
To do this, Umno must show that it is fresh in its thinking and approach, he said, adding that the clearest and easiest proof was in the types of candidates it would field.
In her speech, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil said voters were faced with two choices in the elections – they could either vote for a Barisan government with a proven track record or one that would effectively be led by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
“On the right is a Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Barisan. We know Najib’s track record and his commitment to taking care of Malaysians.
“On the left is a Government that will be led by DAP. Are Malaysians willing to hand over a country that we have built for so long to a chauvinistic leadership?” said Shahrizat.
Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin hit out at the Opposition for criticising the Federal Government’s efforts in helping out during the recent floods in Penang, as well as Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for questioning and attacking its integrity.
On the possibility that no Puteri Umno member would be fielded in the polls, she said: “I, as the Puteri Umno Malaysia leader, would like to assure that Puteri will not sulk, fight or close down operations rooms.”