Zahid: Don't use Malay unity as political gimmick

The Malay unity agenda should not be used as a political gimmick, especially after experiencing election failure, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The deputy prime minister said Umno did not intend to dispute any party that wanted to establish a secretariat to unify Malay parties, but the motive for its struggle must be clear and not just for political purposes.

Zahid, who is also BN chairperson, said the establishment of UMNO on May 11, 1946, also succeeded in uniting Malay NGOs at that time, and the principle of Malay unification as a whole is still the party’s guiding principle.

“I would like to wish the chairperson of the Malay Secretariat all the best, and I pray that he will succeed in uniting Malay parties and Malay NGOs for the benefit of the Malays.

“Let us unite in what is important in terms of thought, mindset, and conscience, not for any other purpose when the organising party is trying to unite the Malays after not having a winner in the last election, apart from all losing deposits,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Bagan Datuk Umno Division Delegates Meeting for 2025 today.

On June 4, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad reportedly formed the Malay Secretariat to unite all parties fighting for the Malays under one big umbrella.

Earlier, Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, said in his speech that Umno would not accept any form of secretariat that supposedly aims to unite the Malays on a political basis.

Meanwhile, he said that every member, especially Umno leaders, needs to strengthen the party again, besides realising that the struggle they have been through is full of tests.

He said that all the events that have happened before must also be used as a lesson to ensure that Umno regains its place in the hearts of the people in the 16th general election.

“There is no struggle without tests. Someone who succeeds in becoming a leader will definitely be tested; if someone rises without tests, they will definitely go down. We must also change and build new strength to ensure that we return to dominating GE16,” he said.

- Bernama

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