Don’t Use Malay Unity Agenda as a Political Gimmick – UMNO President

BAGAN DATUK, June 15 – UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has cautioned against using the Malay unity agenda as a political gimmick, especially by those who suffered defeat in recent elections.

The Deputy Prime Minister said UMNO has no intention of questioning any initiative to form a secretariat aimed at uniting Malay parties, but stressed that such efforts must be genuine and not driven solely by political motives.

“Do not use the agenda of Malay unity merely as a political tool, especially after facing failure in elections,” Zahid told reporters after officiating the 2025 UMNO Bagan Datuk Division Delegates Meeting today.

He added that the founding of UMNO on 11 May 1946 was itself a unifying movement that brought together various Malay non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and that the party still upholds the principle of Malay unity as a core value.

“I wish all the best to the Chairman of the newly-formed Malay Secretariat and pray that he succeeds in uniting Malay parties and NGOs in the interest of the Malay community.

“Let us unite based on shared values, thought, and sincere intentions—not because a party has no electoral victories or lost all deposits, and only then seeks unity under the guise of struggle,” Zahid said.

His remarks came in response to recent statements by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who on June 4 announced the formation of a movement known as the Malay People’s Secretariat, aimed at uniting all groups advocating for Malay interests under one umbrella.

Earlier in his speech, Zahid, who is also Chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk, said UMNO will not support any secretariat claiming to promote Malay unity if its foundation is merely political in nature.

He also called on UMNO members, especially its leadership, to focus on strengthening the party and reflect on past challenges as lessons to help UMNO regain the people’s trust ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).

“There is no struggle without trials. A true leader will be tested. If someone rises without challenges, they will surely fall. We must evolve and build new strength to reclaim our dominance in GE16,” he said.

— BERNAMA