Noraini says UMNO cannot rely on past glory, urging a return to moderate politics to stay relevant in Malaysia’s evolving political scene.
KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO cannot afford to be lulled by nostalgia over its eight decades of struggle, and must return to its original DNA of moderation to remain relevant in the current political landscape.
Wanita UMNO Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said that today’s voters can no longer be won over merely by a sense of indebtedness for the party’s role in independence; instead, they evaluate parties based on concrete future offerings.
“Eight decades of history may be sweet to remember, but past nostalgia does not generate votes for the future. The political landscape of 2026 has changed significantly,” she said while speaking at the UMNO 80th Anniversary Convention at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.
Noraini said Wanita UMNO wants the party to return to the principle of moderation as its true strength in facing public discourse, which is now filled with emotion and hostility.
In the same vein, UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh urged the party leadership to abandon rigid approaches and instead adapt to current trends, especially to attract youth support.
He stressed that leaders must actively go to the ground and engage with young people in digital spaces, educational institutions, and workplaces, rather than adopting a “touch and go” attitude of merely attending events for photo opportunities.
“Change our approach. We (UMNO) must break out of our cocoon; God willing, young people will return to support us. Those old ways are outdated because young people want leaders who are genuinely sincere, who can sit with them and listen to them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Puteri UMNO Chief Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Shamsudin, in her speech, suggested that UMNO remain grounded in reality by offering comprehensive solutions to the rising cost of living faced by the people.
As such, she proposed improvements to the targeted diesel subsidy mechanism to ensure no group is left behind, especially private vehicle users.
“I would like to stress that this assistance (targeted diesel subsidy) should be expanded to include private diesel vehicle owners who are also affected. These measures are important so they do not feel squeezed between career demands and family responsibilities,” she said.
