Don't dream of an Umno prime minister when the party has a measly number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"We have to address this "keciputan” (Malay slang for meagre or measly) of the number of parliament seats first," he said during a special interview with selected media prior to the Umno general assembly, which begins on Wednesday (Aug 21).
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"We have to address this "keciputan” (Malay slang for meagre or measly) of the number of parliament seats first," he said during a special interview with selected media prior to the Umno general assembly, which begins on Wednesday (Aug 21).
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NewsTranscript
00:00Don't dream of an UMNO Prime Minister when the party has a measly number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat,
00:07says Party President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
00:11There is no meaning if we want to become this and that if our seats are taken away, is that right?
00:18So we must avoid that taking away for dominance again.
00:23He conceded that the support of the Malays for UMNO now is still low.
00:28He said embracing the idea of a new political landscape,
00:31which is forming a government with former party rivals, has not been popular with UMNO members.
00:37I admit that it is still at a low level.
00:42That's why I refer to issues and sentiments that are not well handled by my party.
00:52Not only by the leadership of UMNO, but also by the leadership of the government.
00:59Ahmad Zahid said party leaders must effectively convey cabinet decisions to members and the masses,
01:06so that the grassroots have a sense of belonging to the Medani government.
01:10The Deputy Prime Minister also brushed aside the notion that DAP is a liability to UMNO,
01:16its former bitter rival.
01:19He said the parties in the unity government are actually on the same page
01:22when it comes to discuss certain issues.
01:25For example, the status of the Malays.
01:30The status of Islam, the rights of the Malays, and the language.
01:36You all don't know that in the cabinet,
01:40even if the matter is discussed, there is no objection
01:45from the party that is very reluctant to do so.
01:49This is reality.
01:52Because the party leaders are on my right,
01:56in the cabinet, never once.
01:59This is a perception, that's why I said we must handle this with a perception.
02:03No.
02:04Because it's the opponents who are the matchmakers,
02:07so that we can argue.
02:08Actually, there is no such problem.
02:10Ahmad Zahid conducted a special interview with selected media
02:14prior to the UMNO General Assembly, which begins on August 21.
02:19He said this General Assembly will be about promoting the government agenda
02:23for the Bumiputra, such as technical and vocational education and training TVET,
02:28the halal industry and entrepreneurship.
02:31He added that the party polls will only come into play in 2026.