KUALA LUMPUR – In a fiery opening address at the Umno General Assembly (PAU 2026) today, Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took an unmistakable swipe at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — referring to his unity government partner as “guru” while asserting that Barisan Nasional (BN) could manage the nation far better.
“Who did this? Guru. Enough, guru. Listen to our voices, guru. We can do better than what the guru has done.”
Laying out BN’s proposed economic roadmap, the Deputy Prime Minister zeroed in on what he described as persistent policy uncertainty under Anwar’s administration, particularly surrounding taxation.
Zahid was quick to clarify that his sharp remarks were not meant to sabotage the governing coalition.
“I am not trying to incite or provoke anyone. But we do not want to create anxiety or unease, let alone endless confusion,” he told delegates at the World Trade Centre.
The Umno president also issued a pointed warning against the potential weaponisation of state machinery, addressing mounting speculation that senior party figures could face arrest once the general assembly wraps up.
“We do not want anyone to be put in orange or purple uniforms. We want them to be treated fairly,” Zahid declared, referencing the distinctive lock-up attire worn by suspects under Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police custody.
Push for Early GE16 and the ‘Malaysia Blue Agenda’
Riding on renewed party confidence, Zahid reiterated his call for the 16th General Election (GE16) to be called sooner rather than later, insisting that Umno and BN are fully primed to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.
To secure that victory, he advocated for a pragmatic “Grand Collaboration” (Tafahum Siyasi) with other political pacts to prevent costly electoral clashes, reassuring grassroots members that such alliances would not force UMNO or BN to dilute their core identities.
Zahid stressed that BN’s ultimate ambition remains returning to dominant federal power to roll out its comprehensive “Malaysia Blue Agenda” ahead of the nation’s independence centenary. The masterplan centers on eight core pillars:
Wealth Creation & Human Capital: Rebuilding the national economy while upgrading skillsets.
Equity & Welfare: Expanding domestic ownership, safeguarding social safety nets, and protecting national interests.
Resilience & Trust: Preparing for future global crises, restoring public confidence, and prioritizing citizens’ needs. – September 11, 2026