Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan moved to counter claims that Umno Youth is unruly or extreme, asserting that the wing plays a vital and responsible role as the party’s conscience and early warning system.
Speaking at the opening of the Umno Women’s, Youth and Puteri General Assembly held at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Mohamad said criticism branding the Youth wing as barbaric was misplaced. In his view, youthful assertiveness and readiness to challenge authority were essential traits, particularly when policies threaten the welfare of Malays or place undue pressure on ordinary citizens.
He explained that Umno Youth has historically functioned as the first line of response whenever public interests are at risk. According to Mohamad, raising concerns loudly should not be confused with recklessness, as the wing’s role is to alert the party and government to issues that may otherwise be ignored.
Mohamad acknowledged the recent actions and outspoken stance of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and the Youth leadership during their special convention. He noted that the convention reflected genuine grassroots sentiment and a willingness to address public concerns openly. However, he urged the Youth wing to channel its courage constructively by acting as an internal counterbalance rather than an adversarial force against the government.
He encouraged Umno Youth to challenge policies from within, stressing that this approach would prevent the opposition from monopolising the narrative of defending the people. In doing so, he said, Umno could reclaim its position as a credible champion of public interests rather than allowing rivals to portray themselves as the sole voice of resistance.
The special convention organised by Umno Youth, themed around the party’s direction within the unity government, had initially been triggered by a dispute involving a lawmaker’s failure to issue an apology. Mohamad said the deeper issue raised by the gathering went beyond a single incident, instead reflecting broader questions about Umno’s role and compatibility within the Pakatan Harapan-led administration.
He further challenged Umno Youth to demonstrate effectiveness in safeguarding Malay interests through tangible action and policy engagement, rather than relying solely on emotional appeals. In his view, credibility would come from results and consistency, not rhetoric.
Turning to Puteri Umno, Mohamad called on the wing to evolve into a data-driven intelligence unit capable of shaping narratives among younger voters. He highlighted that the digital space and educational institutions should be their primary battlegrounds, with issues such as mental health, fair wages and personal dignity taking centre stage.
Mohamad concluded by stressing the importance of winning the confidence of first-time voters under the age of 18, saying Umno must be seen as a party that understands and relates to their realities if it hopes to secure long-term support.
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