INKING the Muafakat Nasional pact with PAS is not going to return Umno to Putrajaya, said Mohamad Hasan.

The Umno deputy president said party leaders and members had to convince voters they were offering a better deal in the next general election.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Hasan, said he found too many leaders and members who were confident that the alliance with PAS is enough to regain federal power.

“We have become nonchalant, too confident, too relaxed and do not want to do anything more as if we are sure of winning the election.

“Even though we have this alliance, Umno despite being the largest political party in the country, must readjust and strengthen itself,” he said when winding up debate on the presidential address at the party’s general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre today.

Party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his opening address at the assembly, said Muafakat Nasional was like a lifeline for the people.

Zahid said the cooperation was a blueprint for a balanced politics that would be used in the 15th general election. 

Mohamad said all of the opposition’s by-election wins this year are just skirmishes to put their strategy to the test.

He said the general election will be far different.  

“If we fail in the 15th GE, it’s better for us to pack and go,” he said.

The Rantau assemblyman said the dignity of the Malays had been insulted and challenged.  

He said because of that, he appealed to party leaders and members to strengthen the party and rekindle their spirit to fight for their race.

“The rejection by the people was overwhelming.  

“It is up to us how we treat that rejection and how we re-evaluate ourselves,” he said. – December 7, 2019.