UMNO will stick with Barisan Nasional as it did not made much headway with Perikatan Nasional,  Mohamad Hasan told delegates at the party’s annual general meeting today.

“No Malay party is bigger than Umno,” said the party deputy president.

Yet in the Perikatan Nasional government, the party is relegated to the role of follower, he said.

“Umno’s role is isolated and not dominant. We are followers there rather than leaders.”

It is clear that the Barisan Nasional formula of government, backed by the country’s biggest Malay party, is the best option for Malaysians, he said.

“Malaysians can be persuaded to pick BN again as it is best suited to lead the country to economic success,” he said at the opening of the  Umno Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri AGMs at the Putra World Trade Centre this morning.

He said BN’s 60-year track record was unmatched and that Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional could not hope to do what it has done.

Voters, said Mohamad, must be informed that political stability could only be established by a government that has the support of the nation’s biggest Malay party.

“It was clear from the start that Umno would not join the PN coalition. 

“The situation has given Umno the opportunity to champion the BN brand again among Malays and non Malays.

“Only an Umno-led BN is proven to work.”

He said BN was a dynamic and progressive entity that was open to change.

“We can evolve and we are aware that change is inevitable. As such, Umno will explore all possibilities. The changes, however, must benefit Umno, Malays and Muslims. There is no compromise on this. 

“Umno must also be the leading party in any political pact it enters. And finally, the pact must bring stronger political stability. We don’t want dirty politics of buying or threatening MPs. And we will not resort to emergency orders to ensure our political survival. 

“Umno and BN will work with parties with principles who are accepted by voters,” said Mohamad.

Umno delegates at the AGM are expected to discuss the party’s political direction post-PN.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim recently said he had been in talks with Umno leaders about working together, a claim that the Umno president has denied. – March 27, 2021.