Latest news with #15thGeneralElection
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Mohd Salim appeals for reinstatement amid Umno suspension
SEREMBAN: Former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif hopes the Umno leadership will favourably consider his appeal following his suspension from the party. Mohd Salim said he had submitted a second appeal to have his suspension lifted in April following the first one last year. "I sincerely hope the party leadership will consider my appeals. "Although I have been suspended, I have remained loyal to Umno and have been actively supporting members, especially in Jempol," he said on Monday (June 10). Mohd Salim said he had never once considered quitting the party ever since he was suspended. "Umno has been my party from day one. "Although there had been lots of talk previously that I would quit the party and join another, I have proven my loyalty to Umno," he said. Mohd Salim was suspended for six years, along with several others, by the party in January 2023 for breaching party discipline. On Sunday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party had only received applications from two members to have their suspensions lifted. Apart from Mohd Salim, the other application was from former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. Umno's supreme council had, on Nov 24 last year, unanimously decided to lift Tajuddin's suspension, reinstating him as an Umno member, effective immediately. Tajuddin's membership was suspended for six years from Sept 2022 for criticising the party, including matters related to the timing of the 15th General Election (GE15). Last week, Ahmad Zahid said the party's supreme council will also look into a request by Sembrong Umno to lift the six-year suspension of former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein after the party's political bureau reviews the motion. He said Hishamuddin had, however, yet to submit any appeal or apology over the matter.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Party success needs team effort- Johari Ghani
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani today called on party members to embrace a team-based approach, warning that relying on individuals alone will lead to failure. Johari, who is Titiwangsa Umno division chief, likened political strategy to a football match, that every 'player' must play their part effectively for the team to succeed. "We need to have a team mentality. If we do not base our efforts on a team, we won't get anywhere," he said at the division's delegates meeting today. Johari, who is also Titiwangsa member of Parliament, cited his experience in past general elections, noting that he lost in the 14th General Election despite being the deputy finance minister at the time, due to a weak team structure. "I lost by 4,000 votes because the team was not solid," he said. The plantation and commodities minister illustrated his point with an analogy involving a village football team that spent RM300 million to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo, only to find the star player ineffective because the rest of the team could not get the ball to him. Johari said success is only possible when each member of the team understands their role. In his speech, Johari also credited Barisan Nasional's win in Titiwangsa in the 15th General Election to four and a half years of careful preparation and the dedication of grassroots members including branch leaders, Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings. "We won during the worst tsunami in Umno's history, but Titiwangsa held firm because the team was solid," he said. He said that even the most prominent figures cannot win elections without a functioning support system. "Even with great strikers, if the team is not strong, this is what we will see," he said, referring to a former prime minister who lost his deposit in Langkawi despite his legacy. Looking ahead to the 16th General Election, Johari cautioned that dismantling the team concept would be detrimental, regardless of the candidate. Later, at a press conference, Johari said political success cannot rest on the shoulders of one individual alone, underscoring the importance of teamwork in any contest. "One person cannot win for the party. He cannot guarantee victory on his own," said Johari, adding that a strong team creates a better chance of winning. Meanwhile, acknowledging the diversity within political organisations, Johari said differing opinions and ideologies are common. "We must accept the reality that political parties are established to champion their respective ideologies," he said, citing Umno, DAP, PKR, Amanah and the various parties from Sabah and Sarawak as examples. He highlighted the challenge and the necessity of cooperation among ideologically distinct parties during elections and in forming a functional government post-victory. "The real question is how we organise our roles despite differing ideologies and once we win, how we unite to build a government that can drive national development." He said Malaysia's political landscape has changed significantly. "It's no longer like the past, where one party could dominate for up to 60 years. Now, we must learn the concept of power-sharing," he said.
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
UMNO's selective amnesia won't work in Sabah
SABAH politics is never short on drama but when UMNO starts playing the victim card, it's hard not to roll our eyes. This is especially true when the facts keep contradicting the fairy tales they spin. Recently, Kota Kinabalu UMNO chief Musliati Moslimin cried betrayal, accusing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) of turning their backs on an old friend. It was a passionate claim with some even calling it an emotional outburst. But we must remember that like most melodramas, it lacks one thing – credibility. To understand this better, let's rewind to 2020 during the Sabah state elections. GRS was then a new kid on the block. It was a coalition forged out of necessity to stop Warisan's dominance. An agreement was then made with Umno that the latter would contest 27 seats. It was a strategic decision but when the nomination day came, UMNO's so called 'strategic discipline' turned into a seat grab exercise as they contested 41. So, who betrayed whom? Fast forward to 2023. Just when Sabah was catching its breath politically, Langkah Kinabalu was mooted out of the blue. Yes, UMNO again, allegedly trying to topple the GRS government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. It was orchestrated with the support of some of the very people now shouting about betrayal. The move failed but the damage to trust was done. Still, here we are with Musliati claiming UMNO is the wounded party while conveniently forgetting that it was her party that was swinging the axe. And if one thought the contradictions stopped there, they would be mistaken. In the 15th General Election (GE15), UMNO was part of a coalition that suffered a clear rejection from Malaysian voters. But somehow, they still ended up in government. Thanks to Pakatan Harapan (PH), the very coalition they once demonised. Betrayal? Or is that just what UMNO deems these days as political flexibility? 'Can't trust UMNO' The problem with UMNO's narrative is that it demands everyone to have short memories. But Sabahans remember. They remember the broken promises. They remember the backdoor deals. They remember the sudden claims of moral high ground from a party that lost its way – not just nationally – but in Sabah, too. Musliati claimed that GRS has betrayed UMNO. But perhaps it was GRS that finally realised that partnering with a party constantly moving from internal crisis to public outrage was no longer viable. Political partnerships are built on trust and trust is earned, not demanded via press statements. It's also worth noting that while Musliati is shouting betrayal, GRS leaders have mostly remained focused on delivering governance, economic recovery and stability in Sabah – something which voters are watching closely. Meanwhile, UMNO continues to focus on who gets what seat, which ministerial post and which partner they can blame next. There's a reason UMNO is struggling to stay relevant in Sabah. It's not just because they lost seats. It's because they lost the people's trust. The party of yesteryear keeps trying to revive old narratives in a new Sabah but voters have matured. They don't need more theatrics. They want leaders who deliver – not leaders who cry wolf every time they're outplayed in the political chess board. So yes, let's talk about betrayal. But let's start with the truth. UMNO betrayed its allies in 2020. UMNO tried to betray Sabah's stability in 2023. UMNO formed a government with those they swore they never would. And now UMNO wants to re-write history with itself as the victim? Sorry, Musliati. In Sabah, people are watching and remembering. And no amount of dramatic media statements can change the facts on the ground. – June 26, 2025
The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Renewed call to reinstate Hishammuddin
KLUANG: Johor Umno will present to the party's top leadership a resolution proposing that Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's ( pic ) suspension be lifted, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The state Umno chief said the resolution came from the Sembrong division, of which Hishammuddin is its former head. 'I've been informed that a motion has been tabled, urging the leadership to consider reinstating him (Hishammuddin). As state Umno chairman, I will bring this resolution to the highest level,' he said when opening the Sembrong Umno delegates meeting. He acknowledged Hishammuddin's significant contributions to the party, saying the former minister had guided him when he first entered politics. The motion reflected the grassroots' appreciation for his leadership, he added. Onn Hafiz and Hishammuddin are related; the Johor Mentri Besar is Hishammuddin's nephew. Sembrong Umno chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Abdul Rashid said this is the second consecutive year the motion had been tabled, in line with the wishes of the majority of delegates who want Hishammuddin to return to active party service. 'We brought up this motion last year as well, calling for the six-year suspension to be revoked. The members here have made it clear that they want the suspension lifted unconditionally,' he said, Bernama reported. He added that Hishammuddin's extensive experience in government and Umno is crucial to strengthening the party. Umno had previously carried out an internal 'cleansing process' after the 15th General Election, which saw several of its leaders suspended or expelled. Hishammuddin was suspended for six years starting Jan 27, 2023.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Umno to continue driving Malay and bumiputra agendas
Strategic planning: Mohamad (centre) posing for a photo with other delegates at the opening of the Cheras Umno division meeting in Cheras. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will remain in the federal government to continue championing the Malay and bumiputra agendas, says party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He described the decision as a strategic move, warning that exiting the government would 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,' said Mohamad, who is also Foreign Minister. Mohamad, who is MP for Rembau, said this when opening the Cheras Umno division delegates' meeting here yesterday, Bernama reported. 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, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had taken the lead in addressing gaps, particularly affecting Malay youths. '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 15th General Election in 2022. 'The political reality now is that no party anywhere in the world can govern alone. That era has ended. 'We must be realistic. Although we have 192 divisions, our strategy should focus on constituencies we can win. Political idealism can be misleading and dangerous,' he said. He also expressed pride in Umno's internal unity, saying it was one of the few stable parties in the country. 'No one will support a party that's in disarray. We must maintain harmony and project ourselves as a moderate, peaceful force,' he added.
