Umno must accept reality that it can't go solo

New Straits Times

12 hours ago

GEORGE TOWN: Umno must accept that long-term survival in Malaysian politics now depends on strategic alliances, not solo ambition, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said that since the founding of Barisan Nasional (BN), Umno had never operated on its own, and its strength had always depended on the support of its component parties.
"No matter how great our leaders are, if any party in the BN coalition fails to bring in support from its community, we will lose.
"So, we must accept that no party is dominant anymore.
"We must carefully consider who we should work with.
"This is the age of flexibility. When Umno works with the unity government, it is merely a strategic and tactical shift, not a change in principle or values.
"Our core principles of championing the Malays and Islam remain unchanged.
"Remember, no political alliance is permanent.
"But our struggle, our ideology, remains.
"What changes are the strategy and tactics," he said at the 2025 Bukit Gelugor Umno division delegates' meeting today.
Khaled, who is also the defence minister, said Umno must choose its political partners wisely ahead of the 16th general election (GE16), expected in 2027, and that groundwork must begin now to secure the party's position.
"If we win big, only then should we decide who to 'marry'.
"We need wisdom, strategy, and tactics, just as we have begun laying the groundwork ahead of the upcoming state elections.
"The question of who we work with shouldn't be rushed, it doesn't mean we must immediately embrace DAP.
"Political alliances don't last forever.
"But we must aim to win big so we can shape the government that emerges after GE16.
"I don't even know where we'll end up, but what's important is that we are part of the government, because only then can we realise and fulfil our struggle," he said.
He said the party leadership had never forgotten the contributions and sacrifices of former prime minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Khaled said the party had not given up efforts to defend Najib's cause, but remained committed to upholding the royal institution and the Federal Constitution.
He said any action must be carried out wisely and respectfully to avoid offending any party, warning that rash decisions could set a bad precedent for others.
"The matter of the Addendum Decree involves the royal institution and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We must act wisely and respectfully towards our monarchy.
"If we fail to safeguard this, other communities may take it as a cue in how they deal with our rulers.
"That is why our secretary-general's (Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki) statement was issued with the utmost decorum, to avoid offending any party.
"When it comes to matters not involving the monarchy, I truly believe no one can match the strength, passion and commitment of Umno's leaders," he said.