UMNO To Remain In Govt To Push Malay, Bumiputera Agenda
He described the decision as a strategic move, warning that exiting the government would simply allow another party to take its place.
'If we leave, another party will fill the gap within two hours. We don't want to be spectators on the sidelines. It is better to be in government, where we can drive new agendas suited to today's realities,' he said.
bootstrap slideshow
Mohamad, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, was speaking after officiating the Cheras UMNO division delegates meeting here today.
He cited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as one of the party's key focus areas.
Although the portfolio is traditionally under the Human Resources Ministry, he said UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had taken the lead in addressing gaps, particularly affecting Malay youths.
bootstrap slideshow
'Many are not dropping out because they failed exams, but because they never sat for them. That's why we introduced the National TVET Policy, the National Tahfiz Policy and several other initiatives,' he said.
Mohamad added that UMNO was undertaking internal reforms to adapt to a shifting political landscape, following setbacks in the 2022 general election.
'The political reality now is that no party, anywhere in the world, can govern alone. That era has ended.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Give addendum same respect as unity govt order, says Najib's son
Nizar Najib said failure to implement the royal order could damage public trust in the government and respect for royal directives. KUALA LUMPUR : The government has been urged by Nizar Najib, son of former prime minister Najib Razak, to accord the same respect and urgency to a royal order on his father's house arrest request as it did to the call that led to the formation of the unity government. 'This issue (of the addendum) has been going on forever. How much longer are we going to drag this out when the decree already exists?' he said at a press conference here today. Nizar, who is Najib's eldest son, said failure to carry out the order could damage public trust and respect for royal directives. 'It's the same as when we honoured the royal decree to form the unity government. No one questioned it and, in fact, everyone supported it. So what's the difference between the decree to form the unity government and the one to implement the addendum?' he said. Last week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government will follow-up on the royal order as soon as possible following legal procedures 'but it depends heavily on the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which we must all respect'. The addendum was made to a Pardons Board decision to reduce Najib's sentence of a jail term and fine, and purportedly orders Najib's jail sentence to be served under house arrest. Najib had been convicted of corruption and abuse of power in the SRC International case. The Federal Court was told on July 9 that Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar had on July 2 acknowledged the existence of the addendum but was disputing whether it was genuine or valid. At the press conference, Rosmadi Ismail, chairman of the NKB1Msia Club, called on the prime minister to take full responsibility in ensuring the addendum is implemented. He said Najib deserved fair and just treatment under the law as a statesman who had contributed significantly to national development.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to review UN joint declaration on Hamas, Palestine
Malaysia was asked to sign a joint declaration on Hamas and Palestine following a recent high-level conference at the United Nations, coordinated by Saudi Arabia and France. (AP pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysia is currently reviewing a United Nations joint declaration to urge Hamas to disarm and relinquish its governance over Gaza, says government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi said the Cabinet had been briefed by foreign minister Mohamad Hasan on the matter following a recent UN high-level conference coordinated by Saudi Arabia and France, Bernama reported. 'Our permanent representative to the UN was asked to review and sign a joint declaration, but the government decided that more time is needed to study it. 'At this point, Malaysia's stance on Palestine has not changed. Our stance is clear. Palestine has the right to exist as a state. We are not looking at any other matters beyond that,' Fahmi told a post-Cabinet press conference. Fahmi Fadzil. On Wednesday, Canada became the third G7 developed nation to announce recognition of Palestine as an independent state as part of a negotiated two-state solution. Britain and France have also announced they would recognise Palestine in September at the UN General Assembly. Fahmi said that Wisma Putra has been given time to review the declaration in full, and the Cabinet has also requested Mohamad to brief the Dewan Rakyat early next week to provide further clarity on the matter. 'That will likely take place between Monday and Wednesday. I believe the minister will provide a more detailed explanation then, but the government's stance remains unchanged,' he said. The UN joint declaration, urging Hamas to disarm and relinquish its governance over Gaza, was signed by 17 countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. The joint declaration, issued after a UN high-level conference, condemned the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. It also urged Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian authority as part of a two-state solution framework.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
New regional centre strengthens China-Asean economic link
Hainan Daily Press Group Deputy Editor-in Chief, Niu Xiaomin (3rd from left) and Bernama Chairman, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai launching the Hainan International Media Centre. Looking on is (from left) Nanyang Siang Pau, Editor-in-Chief Evie Loh, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Executive Editor-in-Chief Tee Hor Yean, Eng Teck and Datuk George Yong Ket How.—SAMUEL ONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen China–Asean ties gained momentum following the opening of Hainan International Media Centre (HIMC)'s regional hub for Asean here. The centre serves as a bridge to engage with the Southeast Asia region to develop an international land-sea trade corridor. It also plays a critical role in sharing Hainan's development narrative, including tourism, commercial expansion and policy reforms. Hainan Daily Press Group deputy editor-in-chief Niu Xiaomin said Malaysia was chosen because it is home to a sizeable population of Chinese descendants, particularly the Hainanese community, which has preserved deep-rooted cultural ties and continues to uphold strong traditions. He hoped the stories of Malaysian Chinese and Chinese citizens could serve as a cultural bridge, strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations while promoting mutual understanding and highlighting shared values across the region. He also said that Hainan would officially become a free trade port on Dec 18, allowing for some 74% of goods entering the island to enjoy zero-tariff benefits. "This marks a new starting point for Hainan's journey towards a higher level of openness to the outside world," he said at the launch of the HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre here on Friday (Aug 1). The event also saw the establishment of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Asean Economic and Trade Station, and the Haifeng International Film and Television Base Asean Centre. Several agreements on media collaboration were also signed with Bernama, Nanyang Siang Pau and Kwong Wah Yit Poh to jointly produce programmes and conduct activities about Malaysia and Hainan. Partnerships were also established between HIMC and the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, Mila University and Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Industry. The HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre also serves as the Malaysia office for Guangxi International Communication Centre and the International Communication Centre of Guizhou Radio and TV Station. Also present were Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Kwong Wah Yit Poh executive editor-in-chief Tee Hor Yean, Nanyang Siang Pau editor-in-chief Evie Loh, the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia president Datuk George Yong Ket How and HIMC senior advisor for Hainan-Asean international communication Dr Pua Eng Teck. Later in the day, Niu led a delegation to visit Star Media Group. They were briefed on the media company's history, operations and commitment to journalistic integrity while engaging in a fruitful meeting with its group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt to explore opportunities for collaboration.
