The 2025 Umno General Assembly showcased strong support for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, reaffirming BN’s unity and commitment to the Madani government.
KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 Umno General Assembly proved to be a powerful demonstration of the unwavering support enjoyed by Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Despite voices calling for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to withdraw from the Madani government, Ahmad Zahid succeeded, with his trademark composure, in further uniting BN during his presidential address.
He even persuaded MIC and MCA to remain loyal partners within the coalition that has stood for more than five decades.
Immediately after his speech, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said MCA would remain firm in BN.
Calls for Umno to revive cooperation with PAS were noticeably absent during the assembly.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh had earlier taken a principled stand by relinquishing his position as a Malacca state executive councillor, citing discomfort with Umno’s cooperation in the government led by Pakatan Harapan.
However, before making his decision public, Muhamad Akmal had met Ahmad Zahid, who later said he respected the decision and viewed his resignation as an opportunity for the Youth leader to engage more closely with the grassroots.
In the current political climate, Umno still needs figures like Muhamad Akmal.
There remains a significant segment of the Malay electorate that is sceptical of DAP, a party that Umno itself had once portrayed negatively to Malay voters.
Ahmad Zahid, a former Umno Youth chief, knew that being the wing’s leader, one should not just be a “yes man”.
Another Umno prodigal son also demonstrated deep respect for the party president.
Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, who once challenged Ahmad Zahid for the Umno presidency, openly told the media that his attendance at the Umno Youth General Assembly was made with Ahmad Zahid’s consent.
Khairy was expelled from Umno in 2023 and had previously been vocal in criticising Ahmad Zahid’s leadership.
Yet, his remarks to the media last Thursday showed the enduring respect Ahmad Zahid commands.
At the same time, Khairy distanced himself from calls by Umno Youth to withdraw support for the Madani government, stressing that Muhamad Akmal’s remarks were more nuanced and included respect for the party’s decision to remain in the government until the next general election.
For those who accuse Ahmad Zahid of abandoning or being disloyal to his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, such claims were decisively rebutted when Ahmad Zahid, before more than 6,000 party delegates, called on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant a royal pardon to Najib, who is currently jailed at Kajang Prison.
Criticism of Umno’s cooperation with DAP within the Madani government also fell silent when Federal Territory Umno delegate Datuk Tengku Zuhri Tengku Abdul Aziz reminded party members that Umno does not simply comply with every demand made by its coalition partners.
Meanwhile, if party members insist on reviving cooperation with PAS, former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz bluntly suggested that Umno might as well dissolve its divisions in Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis.
The Padang Rengas Umno division chief said working with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional banner would only further marginalise the party, as Umno currently holds no seats in several states within the so-called SG4 bloc.
“Politics is about power and right now, we have power.
It is ridiculous for us to leave just because of pressure.
If we leave now, maybe next month PAS would enter the government.
What’s the point then?”
In a move that further cements Ahmad Zahid’s position as party leader, as well as Umno and BN’s position in the Madani government, the party postponed elections until after the 16th general election.
