KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — UMNO needs to organise a Malay Congress as soon as possible by bringing together the nation’s best thinkers to help create a complete, comprehensive, and timeless blueprint for the advancement and modernisation of the Malay race, says UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said UMNO must take bold and decisive measures by drafting a new action plan by incorporating a modern and advanced Malay agenda to convince the Malays that the party has a clear plan for them.
“If UMNO does not provide such a blueprint, then how will we plan a systematic programme for the advancement of the Malays?
“With such a blueprint, we can prove that we are aware of the problems surrounding the Malay race and that we have a long-term strategy and plan for them,” he said when officiating at the simultaneous launch of the assemblies of UMNO Women, Youth and Puteri wings here today.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman also suggested that the Malay Congress be led by UMNO Youth and Puteri wings.
Mohamad who is also UMNO election director said the party has not succeeded in presenting a more progressive agenda for the Malays.
“Four years (we) have been idle, after being hampered by various political turmoil in the country. We seem to have lost focus on all the struggles and afflictions faced by the Malays and we have also failed to give them good solutions.
“Remember… the Malays have been dealing with various crises that have escalated recently. Although it is a bitter pill to swallow, the fact is that the Bumiputeras are far behind compared to other races in this country. Malays still belong to the extreme poverty group, with the highest poverty rate compared to other communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rembau MP said that UMNO could no longer live in denial after losing the last two general elections and was no longer the largest Malay political bloc in Malaysian democracy, adding the decline of the party’s influence among the Malays and Malaysians was at a critical level.
“Therefore, let’s stop playing the blame game. UMNO will not rise if we continue to be trapped in the blame game. The fate and future of UMNO is our business. No one can change the fate of UMNO except ourselves.
“…now is the time for us to restart the work of developing UMNO with dedication, passion and hard work,” he said.
