Umno should face reality after devastating defeat: Mohamad Hassan

Focus Malaysia:

Umno should face reality after devastating defeat: Mohamad Hassan

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Deputy President of UMNO Mohamad Hassan, has candidly acknowledged the party’s significant defeat in the last General Election (GE), stating that UMNO’s traditional strongholds, including Labuan and Putrajaya, were also lost to opponents.

The speech by the minister sets him apart from other UMNO leaders whose focus seemed to be the freeing of fallen ex-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said the party had fallen to the point it had insufficient numbers to form a government without coalition partners.

In a recent statement at the UMNO assembly, Mohammad underscored the severity of UMNO’s loss, admitting that the party’s influence has dwindled dramatically.

He remarked, “We have to accept and live with the fact that we have lost terribly. We cannot plead and argue in denial anymore that UMNO is sacred and very strong, yet we were rejected by the people of Malaysia with a very impressive defeat.”

He highlighted that UMNO’s performance in Pahang and Perak, along with their inability to secure enough seats to form a government alone, forced the party to reconsider its political strategy.

“Based on the reality and position that we have lost, the UMNO leadership has made a decision to form a unity government with Pakatan Harapan because we realize how little influence we have in the eyes of the voters.”

He continued, in a solemn tone, which was different from other UMNO members, “With the will of God, UMNO and BN – that has only 30 seats – was destined to be part of the new government.”

This strategic shift is a testament to UMNO’s adaptation in the face of its electoral challenges and aims to secure a role within the new governing coalition. – Aug 25, 2024