UMNO should stop blaming others for the slide in its political fortunes, said its vice-president Johari Abdul Ghani.

The Plantation and Commodity Industries Minister said that it has to come to its senses and stop blaming PKR, DAP and other former Umno leaders.

He said this will not allow it to regain its strength on the ground.

He said the fight to become relevant again in mainstream Malaysian politics lies with each of its members, said Johari when opening the Kepala Batas Umno division at the Bertam Resort today.

Present was the division head Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

“If Umno is strong, so would its allies in Barisan Nasional, MCA and MIC be. Likewise, if we are in a weakened state, so would be MIC or MCA. It is simple logic.”

Johari said that the only way back for the party is to work harder and to focus on itself rather than on what others think of them.

Recalling his era in the wilderness after losing in the 2013 general election in the Titiwangsa parliamentary seat, Johari said that he needed to work harder than ever to convince people from within and outside the party to support him.

He also urged the party to go back to its roots in finding the right type of leaders to take it forward, as the party struggles to reposition itself after losing badly in the 2018 and 2022 elections although the party is now in the unity federal government.

Speaking of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chartered accountant turned corporate tycoon, reminded the Kepala Batas delegates that Anwar has Umno DNA, as the party was the one who had identified his leadership skills and capabilities.

Hence, it is Anwar who is trying to uplift Umno and for that, the party should be grateful and learn to co-exist with him to raise the country to greater heights, he said.

Johari said the party should stop living in the past by finding a good crop of present leaders to steer it towards the future, which is full of challenges.

What is important, is to not give up, work harder and in time to come, support will return to Umno, Johari assured. – July 7, 2024.