KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Umno will adopt ‘out-of-the-box’ approaches, including non-verbal communication methods, to win over young voters who now form the majority in the country’s political landscape.

Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said this reality must be acknowledged, as voters below 40, including those under the Undi18 initiative, are more open-minded and no longer bound by party loyalty alone.

“They are very open in their thinking, and they do not necessarily choose parties. They choose candidates and those who can deliver agendas that matter to them, and what they stand to gain from the candidates they support,” he said in a special interview in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary celebration here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the strategy is crucial as voting trends have shifted, with voters increasingly assessing candidates based on service delivery and personal credibility rather than the political party they represent.

On the 16th General Election (GE16), Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, did not rule out contesting solo but remained open to cooperation to avoid overlapping seats with parties in the Unity Government coalition.

The deputy prime minister said the current political reality makes it difficult for any single party or coalition to emerge dominant and form a government on its own without support from others.

“That is why I mentioned the possibility of going solo. It does not mean we reject cooperation. We may still work together to avoid seat overlaps even if we contest on our own. In this matter, we are not rejecting any coalition partners,” he said.

Reflecting on the hung Parliament situation following GE15, Ahmad Zahid described the formation of the Unity Government as a reality that must be accepted in the interest of national stability, despite initial perceptions surrounding the cooperation.

“Such a situation may arise again, and I do not see any coalition in GE16 becoming dominant enough to form a government on its own. That is a reality we must acknowledge,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan plays a key role in easing the current administrative crisis in the Negeri Sembilan government, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, has consistently sought solutions through discussions with party leaders to defuse the situation.

As such, he said allegations linking Mohamad, who is also the member of parliament for Rembau, as the mastermind behind the crisis in Negeri Sembilan are unfair.

“Tok Mat Hasan is trying to find ways to resolve the issue. It is unfair to make such allegations against him. He frequently holds discussions and engages in discussions with me to find a solution.

“I also told him that ‘benang telah kusut’ (the thread has become tangled), and we know the cause. Therefore, we must carefully and gradually untangle it,” he said in an interview in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, was responding to allegations by certain parties claiming that Mohamad was the mastermind behind the political turmoil in Negeri Sembilan.

On Umno’s stance regarding the state’s administrative issue, Ahmad Zahid said the decision by 14 assemblymen was to remain with the Unity Government.

“There is no question of withdrawing to become the opposition. That has never been an issue. There may be interpretations or perceptions that they disagreed with the appointment of the menteri besar, but this must be viewed in a broader context,” he said.

The deputy prime minister said the appointment of the menteri besar is not decided by Umno alone, but depends on the consensus of coalition parties within the Unity Government, particularly Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Previously, 14 BN assemblymen withdrew their support for the state government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

However, Ahmad Zahid said on Thursday that all the assemblymen had agreed to continue supporting the state Unity Government to ensure stability.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Aminuddin would continue to carry out his duties as Menteri Besar as usual after receiving the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — The Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council is scheduled to meet next week to discuss a range of current issues, including the status of the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar post.

Its secretariat chief, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said the meeting is important to deliberate on policy matters and positions among parties in the government, as well as issues involving the monarchy and customs in the state.

Asyraf, who is also Umno secretary-general, said discussions will be guided by the spirit of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) underpinning the formation of the Unity Government, which emphasises resolving differences through the consultative council.

“Insya-Allah, the meeting will be held next week and various aspects will be discussed comprehensively, and the matter (menteri besar’s position) may be among those discussed,” he told reporters after the Mara 60th anniversary celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today. 

Umno had earlier called for an urgent meeting between its Political Bureau and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to address the situation in Negeri Sembilan.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun would continue to carry out his duties as menteri besar as consented to by the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today that political cooperation is now essential rather than optional, but stressed that it must be grounded in clear and firm principles.

Speaking at the party’s 80th anniversary celebration, Zahid said that any form of cooperation must remain anchored on clear principles, with Islam as the core while respecting other religions.

“The interests of the Malays must be prioritised, while acknowledging the rights of other communities. The Federal Constitution must remain the foundation, and the social contract must continue to bind us.

“We must approach politics with wisdom and maturity,” he said.

Zahid also called for a shift in political culture, urging leaders to move from confrontation to collaboration in politics, as part of a broader effort to stabilise the country’s political landscape.

He said that it is the responsibility of today’s leaders to ensure that Umno is built upon clear and enduring principles so that future generations can continue to serve the nation.

Having gone through 80 years of struggle, from crisis to victory and from one transformation to another, we must now look ahead, not just for the next five years or the next election, but for the next 20 years, towards Umno’s centenary.

“Leadership will change, but the foundation must remain strong,” he added.

Zahid said the party must strengthen its internal structure and unity, emphasising that its role goes beyond electoral success to shaping future generations with strong identity, values and purpose.

Looking ahead, he outlined his vision of a Malay community that is firmly grounded in Islamic identity, strong in character, progressive in thinking, and united in purpose.

He said the next two decades must focus on strengthening faith, restoring political stability, developing talent, mastering future technologies, and cultivating a culture of knowledge.

“That is my dream. And I hope the younger generation will turn that dream into reality,” he said.

Zahid added that he hopes to see a society capable of governing effectively, leading the nation, competing globally, and shaping economic and cultural progress while remaining in control of its own destiny.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Khairy Jamaluddin today said Umno must acknowledge its past mistakes as a party before it can begin rebuilding trust with voters who have turned away from it.

He said the party’s image had improved only “to some extent”.

“I think that we still have an uphill task in trying to recover public support,” he told reporters when met at the Umno 80th anniversary convention here today.

Khairy said Umno must recognise its past failings collectively, while also noting what he described as the party’s wider contributions to the country.

“As a party, we should acknowledge that we've made mistakes in the past, but at the same time, we've done more good, extremely good stuff for the country compared to the mistakes that we've made,” he said.

However, he said acknowledging those mistakes should not be treated as an immediate reset with voters, as public trust could only be rebuilt through further work.

On the current Negeri Sembilan political turmoil, Khairy said it was his view that the most acceptable way to determine whether Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun still commanded majority support was through a confidence or no-confidence vote in the state legislative assembly.

Khairy said that only after such a vote should the next step be decided, whether BN is given the opportunity to form the state government or the state assembly is dissolved.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Khairy Jamaluddin today said he does not currently hold any official position in Umno.

He added that it was still too early to disclose details of any responsibilities he may take on.

“I have been asked to look into one or two specific matters, but it is still too early to share details as I have not formally begun,” he told reporters when met at the Umno 80th anniversary convention here today.

MORE TO COME

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Puteri Umno chief Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi today urged the government to strengthen support for young women in the middle-income (M40) group, warning that many remain overlooked despite facing mounting economic and social pressures.

Speaking at the Umno 80th anniversary, she said the challenge facing Umno today is not to favour either older or younger generations, but to bridge the gap between them.

“This group is not merely carrying the burden of daily living, but is also balancing responsibilities and expectations,” she said.

“It is now time for the government not only to provide temporary relief, but to build an ecosystem that genuinely enables young women to grow and thrive without limitations.”

Nurul highlighted young M40 women as one such group, describing them as often perceived to be stable and resilient, yet quietly grappling with the strain of rising living costs and competing responsibilities.

She added that many in this group are not only managing their own livelihoods, but are also balancing career demands with family responsibilities and expectations.

“They may appear strong and composed, but beneath that, they are struggling to cope with increasing pressures,” she said.

She also called on the government to move beyond short-term assistance and instead develop a more comprehensive ecosystem that would enable young women to thrive.

Among the measures proposed were expanding access to income-generating opportunities to ensure more inclusive economic participation, as well as strengthening childcare support through affordable, safe and accessible nursery services, including at workplaces.

She also proposed increasing tax relief for each child from RM2,000 to RM3,000 to help ease financial burdens on families.

In addition, Nurul said the Budi Madani programme should be extended to private diesel vehicle owners who have also been affected by recent policy changes.

“These measures are important to ensure that young women are not caught between the demands of their careers and their responsibilities at home,” she said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Negeri Sembilan Umno will defer to party leadership on its next course of action following its withdrawal of support for the menteri besar, including any decision on a potential replacement, its chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said today.

Jalaluddin said the state chapter would abide by decisions made by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, including whether the next menteri besar should come from outside Umno.

“We will wait and see what the leadership decides, be it BN or PH. It is not for Negeri Sembilan Umno to determine,” he told reporters when met outside Merdeka Hall at the World Trade Centre.

He stressed that the current political crisis was “extraordinary”, following the decision by 14 Umno assemblymen on April 27 to withdraw support for the menteri besar.

Jalaluddin said the move came after issues the group could no longer accept, adding that the crisis was triggered by what he described as mismanagement by the menteri besar that disrupted the state’s political harmony.

“This is not about politics, power or ‘tebuk atap’ (back door). This concerns governance and the institutions of adat and the Negeri Sembilan monarchy,” he said.

He added that the loss of confidence by the 14 assemblymen was final and not a shifting political stance.

“If we have pulled support and the menteri besar continues to govern, it means we have lost trust,” he said.

Jalaluddin reiterated that Umno Negeri Sembilan is prepared to take on the role of opposition if directed by party leadership, potentially until the next general election.

“What we will do next depends on Umno’s decision. We don’t mind being in the opposition and if we are to be in the opposition, we will remain so until GE16,” he said.

On speculation over a replacement menteri besar, including the possibility of a PKR candidate, he said the matter was premature.

He warned that public debate surrounding the issue risked creating confusion, particularly among younger Malaysians, and could harm the reputation of Negeri Sembilan’s adat institutions.

“The question now is not about individuals or positions, but about the responsibility of a menteri besar. We cannot allow a crisis like this to happen, especially one involving adat,” he said.

“When such matters are debated openly, many will not fully understand adat. This can lead to negative perceptions and confusion among youths and students,” he added.

Jalaluddin said Umno was compelled to act to prevent further damage.

Earlier in his speech, Jalaluddin said many had accused Umno of betraying the government, but they forget that in 2023, Umno Negeri Sembilan won 14 seats — the most among all parties.

In the 2023 Negeri Sembilan state polls, Umno secured 14 seats, followed by PKR (five), DAP (11), Perikatan Nasional (five), and Amanah (one).

Jalaluddin pointed out that with the strongest representation at the time, he could have moved to destabilise the government earlier if he had intended to do so.

“If I wanted to stir something, I could have done it then but I respected the federal leadership’s call to maintain peace and stability so that we could work together,” he said.

He said Umno had continued to play its role within the state government over the past two-and-a-half years, including holding four executive council (exco) positions.

Rejecting accusations of a “tebuk atap” (backdoor takeover), Jalaluddin said such claims were misplaced.

“Tebuk atap is when you try to take over the government from outside. We are already part of the government — we have exco positions and allocations. What ‘tebuk atap’ is this?” he asked.

He stressed that the withdrawal of support was prompted by dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of a recent crisis, which he said could not be compromised.

“We are also close to the general election, but we cannot compromise when there is failure in governance,” he said.

Jalaluddin said Umno Negeri Sembilan would now sit in the opposition for as long as it believes the state government is not performing effectively.

He added that the party would focus on strengthening its position ahead of the next general election.

“We will do our best to win all seats. We do not need to cater to others’ feelings. As chairman of the state Umno machinery, it is my responsibility to ensure we are in a dominant position,” he said.

He also rejected claims that Umno’s actions were motivated by a desire for power or positions.

“Umno Negeri Sembilan is not greedy or hungry for posts. We did not want to disrupt the momentum, but we acted because we have principles we cannot abandon — integrity, and our promises to religion and nation,” he said.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, Jalaluddin ended with a firm message: “No retreat, no surrender.”

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today called for a sweeping reinvention of the party, warning that it risks being left behind if it fails to adapt to shifting voter sentiment and reconnect with Malays who are increasingly drifting away.

Speaking at Umno’s 80th anniversary gathering — which coincided with his 70th birthday — the Rembau MP said the party could no longer rely on legacy or nostalgia to stay relevant.

“Reality is, Malays are not as close to us as before. Some even say they no longer need Umno,” he said.

“However, Umno is not dead. Despite all the trials and tribulations, Umno is being tested and whenever we are tested, we come back stronger,” he said in his opening speech at the convention at the World Trade Centre.

Mohamad acknowledged that the party’s loss of federal power in 2018 had eroded public trust, but said Umno has since drawn strength from the crisis and grassroots loyalty.

Framing the party’s future around adaptability, he stressed that Umno must move away from rigid political formulas and adopt a more flexible, data-driven approach ahead of state elections and the next general election.

“Elections today are no longer static. This is not weakness — flexibility is our strength,” he said, adding that modern campaigns are now a “war of data” rather than traditional ceramah-driven contests.

He cautioned that internal divisions would undermine any chance of a political comeback.

“If we fight among ourselves before the general election, we will lose,” he warned.

He also urged the party to undertake a deeper ideological reset, saying Umno must better define its direction in the face of digitalisation and globalisation, particularly as younger, digitally native voters grow up in a borderless political environment.

At the same time, Mohamad said Umno must balance its role as a political vehicle for Malays and Islam with the realities of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

“Umno’s future cannot be separated from Malaysia’s ambitions; it must align with them,” he said.

Despite acknowledging waning support, he insisted Umno remains central to Malaysia’s political stability, arguing that strong governments still depend on the party’s participation, alongside its experience in managing crises and the loyalty of its grassroots base.

Looking ahead, Mohamad said Umno’s goal is to return as a dominant political force, but only if it is willing to change.

“If we do not change, the rakyat will change us,” he said, adding that with state elections in Johor and Melaka approaching, the party needed a clear direction to secure victory.

He said Malays were no longer as “mesra” with Umno as before and claimed that many had forgotten the party’s contributions to nation-building.

“That’s fine, we will fix this and we will do it with the people’s sentiments as the driving force. We will ask what future we want, what kind of Malaysia we want, and build our strong nation on the backbone of strong, proud Malaysians,” he said.

Mohamad added that challenges must be faced with an open mind, saying his 70th birthday marked a personal shift in focus.

“It’s not about me or my career anymore. At this point, all I want to do is give back to the people, the party, Islam, and Malays, and we will strive to be the dominant force in Malaysia again,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki today said the party has recorded an extraordinary surge in new memberships, crediting a “gamechanger” move by the party president for enabling online registration.

Asyraf said that in a break from tradition, this year’s party celebration is not an exclusive event.

“We have never distanced ourselves from the people. This year’s celebration is special — it runs until May 5,” he said in his opening speech on day two of Umno’s 80th anniversary at the World Trade Centre today.

“But what happened yesterday was something else entirely.”

According to the party secretariat, something “extraordinary” occurred when the online membership registration system, which also issues membership cards, saw crowds forming long before counters opened.

“We opened the counter at 10 am, but by 8.30 am, people were already queuing up for their cards,” Asyraf said.

He added that since online registration was first opened on April 20 until 8 am today, a total of 13,954 new members had joined Umno through the initiative, and thanked party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the effort.

“So a huge thanks and congratulations to Datuk Seri Zahid for this successful initiative,” he said.

The breakdown showed Umno Youth recording 8,233 new members, followed by 1,260 from Wanita Umno and 1,240 from Puteri Umno.

Johor recorded the highest number of new members, followed by Pahang and Perak.

“I can say here, almost every day, this number is increasing,” he said.

“This shows what the president wished for — not to make it difficult for youth to join Umno by easing the process of filling up membership forms. The supreme council can then acknowledge them as equal members alongside other Umno members.”

Asyraf described the online registration system as a “gamechanger”, saying full credit should go to the party president.

“This is a gamechanger by our president. All credit and praise should go to him for this,” he said.

He stressed that Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations were not merely ceremonial, but carried significant implications for the party’s future direction.

“Our journey will be difficult, but our party is ‘keramat’ (sacred). We will continue to strengthen religion and race, and ensure our multicultural nation continues to be blessed by God,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — All programmes, including entertainment events, must be organised with due regard for values, decorum, religious sensitivities and local societal norms, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the views expressed by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) and the Federal Territories Mufti Department should be taken seriously and respected, as they reflect the concerns of a broad segment of Malaysian society.

“That is why we have called for such programmes to be reassessed in terms of their concept, content and implementation,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said guidelines should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure all events remain in line with the nation’s cultural values, religious principles and identity.

“Our principle is clear: entertainment is not wrong, but it must have limits. Progress can continue, but values must not be compromised.

“Organisers should engage with the relevant authorities to ensure social harmony is preserved. This is Umno’s position,” he said.

Yesterday, JAWI reportedly objected to the Air Rain Rave Music Festival 2026, which is being held in Bukit Bintang from yesterday until tomorrow, citing concerns that it could undermine moral standards and societal values.

JAWI director Hanifuddin Roslan was reported as saying that organisers should review the programme’s concept, taking into account the sensitivities of Malaysia’s multiracial, multireligious and multicultural society.

Meanwhile, the Federal Territories Mufti Department also reportedly stressed that the festival should be evaluated holistically from the perspectives of Islam, ethics and public interest. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that statements of no confidence issued by three Umno wings against Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun should be regarded as individual opinions.

He emphasised that Barisan Nasional’s (BN) representation in the State Legislative Assembly is determined through party decisions and must be upheld.

“That expression of no confidence is their view. 

“However, we are confident that the presence of BN assembly members in the State Legislative Assembly is a party decision, and it must be respected,” he told reporters after delivering his concluding address at the Umno Education Congress here today.

Earlier today, Negeri Sembilan Umno’s Wanita, Youth and Puteri voiced concern over the relocation of personnel from the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong and the directive to vacate its official residence, describing the move as insensitive given an ongoing customary dispute.

In a joint statement, the three wings said they viewed seriously the instruction to move all occupants from the premises, followed by a further order for the building and official residence to be vacated on April 29, 2026.

“It is clear that this directive was issued while the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong was managing an unresolved dispute involving YTM Datuk Klana Petra Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.

“As such, the actions of the state government are deemed inappropriate, insensitive, and may be perceived as an administrative exercise of power that pre-empted ongoing customary processes,” the statement said.