KUALA LUMPUR: Change within Barisan Nasional (BN) cannot rely solely on its top leadership, but rests on the younger generations to usher in a new era for the party, said BN Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
"If there is strong determination, and we introduce a truly new political approach, we can certainly regain the people's trust in BN.
"All of this does not solely depend on the BN chairman, but political and party reforms must start at the grassroots level, with the new generation and youths within BN.
"We have no time to waste; this change must come from us... this is our era, and we must chart our path in this new age," he said during the BN Youth New Era Programme in conjunction with BN's Golden Jubilee Celebration at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the president of Umno, will officiate the celebration this evening.
Dr Akmal said past experiences have demonstrated that with firm resolve and a fresh political approach, BN and Umno can regain public trust, particularly among the youth.
He cited the successes in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections as evidence of BN's ability to resonate with the electorate under this renewed approach.