KUALA LUMPUR – Umno remains confident that it stands a strong chance of becoming one of the dominant parties in the next general election.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also stressed that continued cooperation within the coalition that forms the unity government is still seen as a strategic move forward, both for the party and the country.
“When the Umno president called for the party to regain dominance ahead of the 16th general election (GE16), it was not meant to belittle the position of other parties in the unity government.
“Rather, it is necessary to strengthen political stability and the voice of the Malay-Bumiputera community in the country.
“Umno must emerge as a party with a larger share of seats in government.
“The party has a good chance of becoming dominant again, but this must be supported by the other coalition parties.
“We cannot win by rejecting multiracialism or joining alliances that fuel racial division,” he said during a recent appearance on Trick Lama by PODaBOOM, the podcast arm of Big Boom Media, which also publishes Scoop. The episode is out now.
The podcast is hosted by Big Boom Media CEO Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa, group executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan (better known as Rocky Bru), and group editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez.
Asyraf also emphasised that the foundation of the nation is its multiracial makeup, and Umno must continue working with parties that represent all segments of society – without getting trapped in racial politics.
“As we face GE16, we see cooperation within the unity government as the way forward for the party – and it is also the reality for the country,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi openly admitted that Umno had made mistakes during its previous time in power and was ready to make amends.
“What happened to Umno – our second defeat in 2022 (GE15) – was not because other parties were strong, but because we were weak.
“Why were we weak? Because we were divided and disunited. We had different factions, something never seen before in those 22 months. There was the court cluster, the WTC cluster, the Putrajaya cluster… suddenly all these labels emerged once power was in hand. But we’ve learnt from that bitter experience.
“I’m not ashamed to say that, yes, maybe when we were in power, we lost our way—we were arrogant, we were haughty, and the people saw us as a party only interested in enriching ourselves, our families, and our cronies.
“Fine, we accept that. If anyone was guilty, let the law take its course.
“But let’s not generalise or paint the whole party as corrupt, as if nothing good ever came from Umno – as if Malaysia only began after Umno lost power,” he said.
He added that like any other party, Umno is not perfect – its leaders and members, from top to bottom, are ordinary people.
“People can be good at times, and not so good at others. That’s why in any party, the system remains while leaders come and go.
“It’s the same with Umno. Whatever people say about the party – people throw all kinds of perspectives and accusations, some even call it corrupt – that’s one way to destroy Umno’s proud identity.
“… and they succeeded. In the end, Umno lost power in 2018. But God is just – He gave the people a chance to experience what it’s like when all parties hold government.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that some may now miss the Barisan Nasional era, even with its flaws.
“This is because the foundation of this country is its multiracial fabric—an essential basis we must understand.
“From the moment of independence, when Umno agreed to the terms of nation-building through cooperation with other ethnic groups, we saw that as the path forward for Malaysia,” he said. – June X, 2025