UMNO has proposed the creation of a Digital Secretariat to strengthen the party’s communication capabilities in line with the growing importance of digital platforms in modern politics, according to a statement from the party’s Information Chief, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The proposal, outlined during the UMNO Information Symposium titled ‘Politics in the Digital Era’, is not an ad hoc measure but the outcome of comprehensive discussions on the shifting political environment. “This is not a temporary idea or reactionary step,” the party explained.
“It reflects a strategic response to the reality that political engagement today is no longer confined to speeches, press conferences or physical events. It operates around the clock across social media, messaging applications, video platforms and the broader online information ecosystem.”
UMNO acknowledged that the party faces growing challenges in narrative control, message coordination, and the need for rapid response to misinformation, disinformation, and increasingly aggressive perception campaigns.
“The establishment of a Digital Secretariat is proposed as an institutional measure to enhance the party’s communication capacity in a structured, centralised and continuous manner, in line with the party’s organisational structure and discipline,” the statement said.
The Secretariat is intended to ensure that UMNO’s digital strength does not rely solely on individual efforts or seasonal campaigns. Instead, it will be developed as a strategic capability to support the party’s Information Department, other party secretariats, and operational units at all levels.
By institutionalising its digital strategy, UMNO aims to consolidate its online presence, streamline messaging, and maintain a sustained and coordinated engagement with the public in the fast-evolving digital political landscape. - January 16, 2026
