KUALA LUMPUR: Umno wings have been urged to find immediate solutions to address the aspirations of Generation Z (Gen Z) ahead of the next 16th general election (GE).
Its deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said if the wings fail to tackle this issue, the party could face a far more challenging time in the next GE.
He said this was because Gen Z frequently turns to social media platforms to participate in democracy by expressing their dissatisfaction with various matters, including government policies.
"This generation does not join any party and they assess issues based on what they see, read and gain from social media platforms.
"These platforms are the most effective space for them to engage in democracy and this is the reality now where our 'democratic space' exists in the virtual world," he said, adding that there has never been a phase in the country's political history where the digital democracy wave has had a greater impact on political parties.
Mohamad said this in his speech at the launch of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates' conferences, here, tonight.
He said Gen Z has no 'sentimental attachment' or direct connection to the party.
"They grew up in a world where Umno is no longer dominant in the country's political landscape, and where we are competing with other players.
"Therefore, the party certainly relies on the Youth and Puteri wings to find solutions to this challenge."
Also present were the party's three vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail; Umno Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and several other top party leaders.