UMNO deputy president Mohamad Hasan reminded party members that years of opposing its nemesis DAP did not translate to votes for the party among the Malays.

He said the party’s steadfast stand in opposing DAP did not make it stronger or more influential with Malay voters.

“The results in the last few general elections showed that despite our attacks on DAP, our votes did not increase. In fact they declined.

“The truth is, whether Malays supported or opposed us, had nothing to do with our stand against DAP,” he said in his keynote address opening the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings annual general assembly tonight.

The former menteri besar made the observation while explaining the party’s role in joining the unity government and how it had to deal with the reality of having to be a partner in the federal government.

Mohamad told the delegates that Umno was in government as a partner.

“Let me stress this again. We did not join Pakatan Harapan. We are still in Barisan Nasional. We formed the unity government and are working to manage the country with PH, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS),” he said. 

Mohamad, who is also defence minister, said Umno must now work to convince the Malay ground that its future lies with the country’s oldest Malay party.

He said the yardstick for Malay support will be its integrity, management of the country, competency and its performance in government.

“It will not be because we oppose any party’s ideology,” he said.

The November 19, 2022 general election ended with PH securing 82 seats, Perikatan Nasional picking up 73 seats while BN secured 30 seats and became the kingmaker in the formation of the new federal government.

BN opted to go with PH, GPS and GRS. – January 11, 2023.