KUALA LUMPUR – Amid questions of Umno’s relevance in the nation’s political future, two party leaders today said its Youth wing must step up and play a key role in restoring public confidence.
In making the call, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said Umno Youth members must demonstrate bravery, tenacity and an unrelenting spirit to ensure the party remains respected, trusted and admired by the people.
“It is time for Umno Youth members to rise with the utmost fighting spirit to restore the party’s dignity and glory.
"Umno Youth must understand young people’s hearts and gain their trust,” he said in conjunction with the wing’s 74th anniversary today.
Rosdy said that in the 74 years since its establishment, Umno Youth had survived tremendous events, and that as such, the wing should not cave in to disillusionment or fatigue.
“Umno Youth must persevere…we do not want this long heritage dagger to be stuck on the wall: sharp, but lying dormant in its sheath.
“Show off the courage and intelligence you inherited to continue shaping the party.
“If something is wrong, make it right. If something is broken, fix it. If something is false, keep amending.
“If you are to be a follower, be a sensible one, and if you are to obey something, do it wisely,” he advised.
He added that as a party member, any action to be taken must put the party’s vision, mission and interests at the forefront.
"As an Umno vice-president, I will always carry and support whatever agenda the Youth wants to bring, as long as it is in line with the goals of this party that we love.”
Fearless
Former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob believes the courage of the Umno Youth leadership today can bring the party back to its feet.
The former prime minister voiced his confidence in view of the 74 years of Umno Youth fighting for religion, race and nation.
Ismail Sabri said the Youth wing has long been known for its fearlessness in voicing its stance to protect the interests of the party and people.
He said his journey in politics started with Umno Youth, which taught him about idealism and grit in building his identity gradually, right to his peak: helming the national administration.
He said Umno Youth has been courageous and unafraid to express its position on the interests of the party and the people.
“The party’s Youth wing also bears the heavy responsibility of ensuring that Umno’s ideals remain intact and continue to resonate with the younger generation.
“I believe that with the bravery shown by the current leadership, the Youth wing can rejuvenate the party.
“Congratulations on Umno Youth’s 74th anniversary. Continue the struggle for religion, nation and country,” he said in a post on Facebook.
In the six-state elections on August 12, Barisan Nasional (BN)-Umno suffered a heavy defeat when they only won 19 seats out of 108 state seats contested.
In Kedah and Terengganu, BN failed to win even one seat and it only won two seats in Selangor and Penang, and one seat in Kelantan.
Following this dismal showing, many have called for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s resignation as party president since then, including former Terengganu Umno chief Tan Sri Idris Jusoh. – The Vibes, August 26, 2023
