KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Sections of Umno Youth and Women leaders said they were prepared to embrace former rivals that were now allies in the national unity government, setting aside years of vitriol and inculcated enmity.

Speaking to Malay Mail at this year’s Umno general assembly, leaders from the party’s Women and Youth wings said that while this was difficult due to past hostilities, it was necessary in the interest of Malaysia’s political stability.

Gearing up to for the state election in Kedah, Sungai Siput Umno Women division chief Datuk Zaitun Ab Rahman vowed that ordinary members would put every effort towards ensuring national unity government candidates would win, regardless of whether they were from Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Confident the party’s grassroots would accept the current political dynamics, she said they have always abided by the party’s leadership and judgement, especially in matters of the party’s survival.

"Umno Women will ensure that all the candidates fielded by BN and candidates under the unity government will win. We have the experience, we don’t practise narrow-minded politics, we have principles and we will not lose our dignity,” she said after attending the launching of Umno Women’s 2023 annual general meeting (AGM).

Kota Raja Umno Women division chief Suhaila M Zin said the party was moving into a new chapter of its history, adding that this has been repeatedly conveyed to the rank and file.

She said that Umno supporters were loyal and would back the party leadership in its decision to be part of the unity government while charting Umno’s recovery with Malay voters.

"So far we at the top level are trying to convince Umno members and want grassroots party members to... because we are in a unity government, whether we like it or not, we have to be together, these Umno members are loyal and compliant... so far, Insha’Allah, we will do your best,” she said.

When opening the wing’s assembly, Umno Women chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said that Umno’s role in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration was crucial to maintain the order and stability needed for Malaysia to prosper.

However, she also urged Umno members to be humble, reflect on the party’s performance during the 15th general election, and concede that it was no longer the dominant political force it once was.

"What we need, we need to fight together and prove together that the role of Umno Women in mobilising the election machinery, will have an impact and at the same time give victory in the upcoming state elections,” she told more than 1,000 delegates at the wing’s annual gathering.

The sentiment was also repeated by some Umno Youth leaders Malay Mail met on the sidelines of their assembly.

On June 7, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded party members to accept that Umno was no longer the preeminent party in the Malaysian politics after recent general election losses.

Instead, he said they must accept that Umno was part of the unity government now, and act accordingly in order to take advantage of any opportunities that may present themselves during the six state elections expected by August.

Selayang Umno Youth chief Shah Zanuriman Nuar Paras Khan said his division was planning to organise meetings with PH counterparts to discuss possible collaborations, in line with Zahid’s message.

He said the ongoing Umno general assembly would set the tone for how they approach such cooperation, as well as their outreach towards young voters.

"The Youth (wings) play a role in several important portfolios including reaching out and understanding the will of young people,” he said.

Petaling Jaya Umno Youth division leader A’zlan Abu Bakar said most in the wing have accepted that they must stop looking at the former rivals as enemies.

"The political nature in Malaysia now is dynamic. We have allies that can restrengthen Umno’s position in Malaysia.

"We followed the Agong’s decree to set up a unity government, and as all of us can see, there is no dominant party. We are putting our differences aside by putting national interest as our priority. The people need stability,” he said.

Gerik Umno Youth chief Salehudin Isa said the party’s grassroots by and large have started to grasp the importance of working together with ex-rivals in PH, both for the country and Umno.

"Of course, there are some voices of disagreement, but it’s only a minority of us Umno members. The rest of us are moving forward with the president’s call.

"The unity government shows that Umno is a democratic and an open party. We are for the people,” he said.

Despite the grassroot leaders’ willingness to bury the hatchet with PH parties, however, it was Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh who pulled in the opposite direction.

In a fiery policy speech delivered before hundreds of delegates at the Tun Razak Hall in World Trade Centre, the newly-elected Umno Youth chief demanded that DAP, previously viewed as the party’s most bitter rival, apologise over previous attacks and criticisms of his party.

He said some grassroots members feared that Umno’s cooperation with DAP could put the party’s defence of the Malay community in jeopardy, which must be assuaged for the party to remain relevant in an era where voters no longer felt beholden to political parties.

"Some members met me to complain and express their feelings, worried about Umno-DAP working together. Worried that they can’t speak of Malay privilege, the sovereignty of Malay Rulers, the issue of religion, language and education of the Malays and Bumiputera.

"That Umno must obey and follow DAP’s lead. This is what the members are worried about,” he said.

Akmal also said Umno was behind the unity government because of the Agong’s decree and the nation’s stability.

"We’re together to form a government. We share an administrative space, but not a space of understanding. We cross partisan politics, but we border the principles of struggle,” he said.