KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Efforts to restore Umno’s strength as a party, housing issues and job opportunities dominated the delegates’ debate session at this year’s Umno General Assembly today.

Delegates urged the party leadership to take prompt action to restore Umno’s strength and to return to championing people’s rights, especially for the Malays.

Umno Youth treasurer Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar touched on the pressing housing issue during the debate, as he urged party leaders in the Unity Government to solve ownership and rental problems by introducing new and better initiatives to replace the abolished zero deposit scheme implemented during the Barisan Nasional (BN) era.

"The same for home rental, not everyone can buy a house. In our country, landlords can increase rent at any time. No one monitors or champions renters,” the Kinabatangan Umno Youth chief said.

He also suggested that the government create a rental ceiling in the country to reduce the living costs for Malaysians.

Johor delegate Noor Azleen Ambrose highlighted the current challenge faced by Umno, stating that the party had to learn to manage a Malay race that was modernising and becoming more open, Islamic and progressive in their thinking.

The Pasir Gudang Umno Youth chief said the party needed to renew its understanding of the Malay agenda and implement continuous and consistent change as the party needed Malays more than they needed Umno.

"The fact and reality is that Umno cannot possibly survive if it is rejected by the majority of Malays. We will die if we fail to regain their support... the Malay agenda no longer means being the loudest voice, does not mean playing up racial issues, it doesn’t mean being a populist or a mere street fighter.

"With the strength owned by Umno in the government, there is no reason for Umno to fail in championing the Malays,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lembah Pantai Umno Puteri chief Nooryana Najwa Najib suggested that the Unity Government focus on creating high-income jobs for youth.

In her speech representing Umno Puteri, she said that the government should invest in projects that can bring big returns and were capable of having economic spillover effects on the country.

"In addition, the private and public sectors should come together to close the knowledge and skill gap in graduates to fulfil the needs of industries.

"We don’t want to see our youth being marketable in Malaysia only, but capable of being global players on an international scale,” she added. — Bernama