Umno leaders call for prioritising party over self-interest, urge Malay support to reclaim kingmaker role
KUALA LUMPUR: If Umno wants to win, it must prioritise the party over individual interests, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
The Pahang Menteri Besar said Umno’s main goal is to return to power.
“If we want to win, we must act in a way that leads to victory. Party first, don’t prioritise personal interests,” he told more than 6,000 delegates during his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly 2025 (PAU 2025) at the World Trade Centre here today.
Wan Rosdy said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in Pahang are fully aware of strong efforts by Perikatan Nasional (PN) to seize control of the state.
“That is why we in Pahang are working hard to deliver the best for the people of Pahang,” he said.
According to Wan Rosdy, state government revenue collections have exceeded RM1 billion for four consecutive years, while Pahang’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year was recorded at 5.7%, higher than the national GDP growth of 5.1%.
He added that the unemployment rate in Pahang has also declined in line with the state’s economic development.
Another Umno Vice-President, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, urged Malay voters to return their support to Umno so that the party can once again become a kingmaker in the formation of future governments.
“Only with the trust of the Malays will Umno continue to be an effective representative in Malaysia’s political landscape.
“Only when the Malays trust Umno can we perform well in government,” said the Defence Minister in his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly 2025.
Mohamed Khaled stressed that Umno will never be a political puppet of any other party.
He said with the confidence of the Malay community, Umno will once again become dominant and capable of being a kingmaker in forming the government.
“We must ensure that no government can be formed without Umno, and that any coalition will need Umno to manage the country.”
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, another Umno Vice-President, said grassroots members should not fear DAP, as this is not the first time Umno has worked with non-Malay-based parties.
“This is the politics of the future. We don’t need to be afraid of DAP. Why should we be afraid of DAP?
“If we were never afraid of MCA, Gerakan or any other non-Malay-based party, why fear DAP?” said the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti)
Johari stressed that Umno members should instead be more concerned about divisions among the Malay community.
“That is why I welcome the president’s idea in his policy speech to open Umno as the house for Malay unity.”
