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UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday outlined three defining political realities confronting the party, saying they reflect the hard lessons learned from nearly three years as part of Malaysia’s unity government and the shifting dynamics of national and Malay politics.
Speaking in his policy address at the UMNO General Assembly 2025, Ahmad Zahid said the first reality UMNO must accept is that Malaysia has entered an era where no single party or coalition can govern alone, marking the end of absolute political dominance.
“Previously, Barisan Nasional, led by UMNO, governed the country as a single coalition. Today, the government is formed through cross-coalition cooperation involving 17 parties, including BN, Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and others such as Warisan and KDM.
“This coalition is bound by a mutually agreed agreement. This is a new reality that demands we step out of our old political comfort zone,” he said.
Zahid acknowledged that cooperation with former political rivals remains difficult for some party members and leaders, but warned that avoidance would only hasten UMNO’s decline.
“UMNO must choose – face this challenge with courage and honesty, or continue to slowly drown in irrelevance. We do not merely need structural reforms; we need a renewal of values and purpose,” he said.
Turning to the second reality, Ahmad Zahid said UMNO must confront the fractured state of Malay politics and the crisis of identity within the community.
He reminded delegates that UMNO was founded as an authentic Malay nationalist movement rooted in the defence of dignity and sovereignty, but admitted that Malay political strength has weakened due to internal conflict.
“Malay politics today is fragmented not because of policy differences, but because of arrogance, vengeance and greed. Our power, once solid, has unravelled because of infighting,” he said.
He said when UMNO-led governments once dominated national administration, Malay political primacy was clear, but shifts in the political landscape have since fuelled rhetoric that exploits race and religion.
“This is what happens when we are divided. Political leadership weakens. Religion becomes a slogan, race becomes a shield, sentiment replaces reason, and anger overtakes rationality.
Yet amid the noise, the majority of Malaysians still yearn for a strong Malay party that can govern effectively,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that UMNO does not reject the Malay-Islam agenda, but rejects what he described as hypocrisy that uses religion and race to mask weaknesses.
“Believe me, the people do not reject the Malay-Islam agenda. They reject hypocrisy cloaked in Islam. They reject religion and race being used merely as cover,” he said.
He said UMNO must reposition itself as a progressive Malay voice that defends rights without oppressing others, upholds principles without hostility and promotes values beyond slogans.
Addressing the third reality, Ahmad Zahid said UMNO must confront its political relevance honestly amid a lingering crisis of confidence among voters. While recent by-election victories demonstrated that the party still as grassroots support, he warned that electoral loyalty is increasingly volatile.
“Look at our victories in the Nenggiri, Mahkota and Ayer Kuning state seats, which show UMNO still has a base. But the Sabah state election reminded us that voters’ choices can shift in an instant,” he said.
He highlighted data showing that only 23 per cent of voters aged 18 to 30 supported Barisan Nasional in the 15th general election, questioning whether the figure has since improved or deteriorated as UMNO remains trapped in old political styles.
He also warned of the growing phenomenon of “political atheists” among Generation Y and Generation Z.
“They no longer subscribe to any ideology. They are sceptical of all forms of politics. They do not trust promises and refuse to be tied to any political bloc,” he said.
Zahid urged UMNO members to read public sentiment honestly and to change boldly if the party hopes to fully regain trust.
“Abandon the culture of fault-finding and stop working only when you are a candidate. Do not appear only during elections, do not step forward only in victory and disappear when defeat comes,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Ahmad Zahid maintained that UMNO remains relevant, even if its recovery is incomplete.
“The fire of struggle still has embers,” he said. - January 16, 2026