KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s top leadership was urged to institutionalise the Pas-Umno charter which led to the creation of Muafakat Nasional (MN).
The new political pact should also include Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, MCA and MIC as well as BN-friendly parties, Friends of BN, said Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said the MN charter with BN coalition cooperating with Pas was a much better alternative for the people in leading to the creation of a harmonised country than what Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has offered thus far.
“It is time for us to move from the Perikatan era which lasted 21 years (1952-1973), to the Barisan Nasional era which lasted for almost 46 years (1973-now), and now we are moving towards Muafakat Nasional.
“It is us that must show and prove to the people that we Umno, Pas, MCA and MIC are united as one, despite the deterioration and disintegration of racial harmony brought about by PH.
“We must be believed upon and be seen as a trusted option in providing the much-needed peace, harmony and prosperity for the people,” he said.
Asyraf said this in his speech at the 2019 Umno Youth delegates conference held in conjunction with the 2019 Umno General Assembly, which kicks-off on Friday at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
Asyraf also reminded Umno youth members not to be overconfident and complacent despite BN’s win in recent by-elections.
Meanwhile, Umno Puteri chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan said the landslide victory at Tanjung Piai by-election showed that MN was indeed on the right track.
“The victory gave a new picture that the (political) cooperation was not racist but it also gave space for the non-Malays in the country to voice out their say.
“When the Malays (Umno and Pas) united and helped a non-Malay candidate, we were getting the support of not only Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters but also Pas supporters which was reflected by the outcome of the by-election.
“The landslide victory in Tanjung Piai gave us confidence over the political perception in the country. BN relies on Malay votes while non-Malays vote for Pakatan Harapan, but this was proven wrong. This shows that everything can be changed, and that there is nothing eternal in politics,” she said in her opening speech during Puteri Umno delegates conference today.
She stressed that the cooperation between Umno and Pas was not intended to oppress other races and that MN should be a trend and new brand for the young generation.
“We realise that Muafakat is easier to achieve at the top level than among the grassroots. Hence, Puteri will continue work with Ameerah Pas and other youth wings of other BN component parties to engage with the grassroots.”