Umno must apologise to Malays if we wronged them - party veep

Umno must apologise to Malays if we wronged them - party veep

Published: Aug 24, 2024 8:29 PM


UMNO AGM | Umno must apologise to the Malays if they have wronged the community when the party was in power for over 60 years, said party vice-president Johari Abdul Ghani today.

During his winding-up speech at the 2024 Umno general assembly today, Johari warned the delegates against being too complacent with their past success and the party’s history.

“If we have failed in our responsibilities during our 60 years (in power), we have to apologise to the Malays.

“We are a 78-year-old party that has done a lot for the Malays and bumiputera.

“We need to rise up and make Umno more dynamic, fresh, clean, consistently moderate and progressive as well as representing all Malaysians,” he said.

Umno needs Malays

Further, Johari reminded the delegates that the nationalist party needs the Malay community, not the other way around.

“If we have this mindset, we will truly care for the Malays. If the Malays truly need Umno, how did we end up with nothing (losing in general and state elections)?

“We need to look inward. Personally, I need Umno and the Malays.

“But if we were to thump our chest and say that Malays need Umno... after 60 years of building the nation and developing its economy... today, we have lost power,” he said.

In a related development, Johari, who is also plantation and commodities minister, said the responsibility for turning Umno into a dominant party again does not only fall on party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s shoulders.

“This is a huge responsibility. All 191 division leaders, over 22,000 branches and all Umno leaders sitting on the stage during this assembly must take responsibility in this matter.”