KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must move beyond rhetoric and adopt clear, task-based roles at the grassroots level if it is to regain public trust ahead of the 16th general election (GE16), party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said today.
Speaking at the joint opening of the Wanita, Youth, and Puteri Umno general assemblies, Mohamad, commonly known as Tok Mat, said the party needed disciplined execution and structured engagement across its wings to translate political positioning into meaningful outcomes for the people.
“To achieve this vision, I am giving a specific mandate tonight,” he said, outlining operational responsibilities for each wing as Umno prepares for GE16.
Mohamad said Wanita Umno would play a central role in addressing household economic challenges, particularly ensuring government assistance reached those in need.
He tasked Wanita with monitoring cost-of-living pressures at the grassroots level, identifying gaps in aid delivery, and pressing for action when prices of essential goods rose.
“Let the people say that while other parties are busy with politics, when rice runs out, Wanita Umno is the first to arrive,” he said, stressing that practical assistance must take precedence over political messaging.
Mohamad also outlined the role of Youth Umno as a constructive internal check within the party and government, tasked with closely monitoring policies and raising concerns affecting the rakyat.
He said Youth must be firm, principled, and responsible in voicing issues related to youth welfare, economic pressures, and policies that could disadvantage the people, while remaining solution-oriented.
Youth, he added, should focus on shaping narratives that reflect real public concerns and ensure Umno remains responsive to changing expectations, particularly among younger voters.
For Puteri Umno, Mohamad said the wing would be at the forefront of digital engagement, especially in reaching young voters through online platforms.
He tasked Puteri with strengthening Umno’s presence in the digital space, using data, research, and targeted messaging to reshape perceptions among Gen Z and first-time voters.
Puteri should also focus on issues relevant to young Malaysians, including mental health, fair wages, and career prospects, to position Umno as a party that understands and addresses contemporary challenges.
Mohamad said Umno could no longer rely on legacy narratives or past achievements, warning that today’s voters judge parties based on solutions and future prospects rather than history.
He urged party members to return to their respective branches with discipline, unity, and a renewed focus on delivery, saying Umno’s recovery depended on its ability to adapt, organise, and execute.
The Wanita, Youth, and Puteri Umno general assemblies are part of the party’s annual general assembly, which continues until Saturday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
