Umno must move past old grudges – Zahid Hamidi

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on party members to put aside past grievances and internal divisions as the party sets its sights on its next phase of growth.

Speaking at Umno’s 80th anniversary convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Zahid said the party’s eight-decade journey had been defined not only by achievements, but by its resilience in overcoming repeated crises.

Zahid said Umno had faced cycles of challenges every decade – from leadership disputes and internal splits to a loss of public trust – yet had continued to endure.

“Every time Umno is tested, that is where the true strength of this struggle is revealed… from every cycle of crisis, new momentum and renewed hope have emerged,” he said.

Looking ahead, Zahid said the party must now move beyond merely navigating crises and instead focus on building a sustainable future, as it approaches its 100-year milestone.

He said this future could not be anchored in past conflicts, describing the party’s Rumah Bangsa vision as one that must unite rather than divide.

“This is not a house to reopen old wounds or hold on to past grievances,” he said, adding that the initiative was meant to bring together those who had once been part of the party.

Zahid said Umno must open its doors widely and sincerely to rebuild collective strength, warning against allowing past disputes to hinder efforts at consolidation.

He added that the party’s long-term goal was not confined to winning elections, but to shaping a future generation capable of sustaining its role in nation-building.

“This is not just about winning elections… but about nurturing the next generation,” he said.

Zahid also outlined broader priorities for the party moving forward, including strengthening political stability, fostering unity among Malays, and adapting to a more complex and dynamic political landscape through collaboration.

As Umno marks 80 years since its founding, Zahid said the challenge now was to ensure the party remains relevant and resilient in the decades ahead.

 

Lupakan semua sengketa lama – Zahid Hamidi

PRESIDEN Umno Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menyeru semua ahli agar melupakan sengketa lama dan sikap berpuak-puak jika mahu melihat parti itu bangkit semula pdaa masa depan.

Bercakap pada konvensyen uang tahun ke-80 parti itu di World Trade Centre, hari ini, beliau berkata perjalanan lapan dekad parti itu bukan sahaja diwarnai pencapaian malah krisis dalaman yang berulang-ulang.

Katanya, Umno sudah menghadapi kitaran sedemikian setiap dekad – daripada pertikaian kepemimpinan sehinggalah kepada perpecahan dalaman yang meruntuhkan keyakinan rakyat – namun ia tetap berulang.

“Setiap kali parti diuji sedemikian, ia akan menampakkan kekuatan sebenarnya apabila harapan dan momentum baharu muncul,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri itu turut menggariskan lima fokus utama parti dalam tempoh dua dekad akan datang menjelang ulang tahun ke-100 parti itu.

Lima fokus berkenaan adalah memperkasa dakwah bagi memelihara akidah; menjadi tunjang kestabilan politik negara; melahirkan tenaga pakar dan intelektual; menyatukan pemikiran kepimpinan Melayu; serta menyuburkan budaya ilmu.

Matlamat akhir perjuangan, katanya, adalah untuk melahirkan bangsa Melayu yang bijaksana, mampu mengurus negara, menguasai ekonomi serta menjadi tunjang kepada sebuah negara majmuk yang harmoni.

“Saya berharap untuk melihat lahirnya generasi Melayu yang tidak luntur nilai keIslaman, mempunyai jati diri yang kuat, berakhlak mulia serta mampu menjadi pencipta idea dan pemangkin kemajuan negara.

“Generasi Melayu yang kita dambakan ialah yang berakar pada iman, berakal dalam tindakan, berdaya dalam ciptaan, berjiwa besar dalam perjuangan dan bersatu dalam kepimpinan,” katanya.

Tambah beliau, Umno perlu memandang ke hadapan dengan asas yang kukuh, bukan sekadar memenangi pilihan raya, sebaliknya membina kekuatan jangka panjang berlandaskan pengajaran sejarah dan persiapan rapi untuk generasi akan datang.

Zahid menegaskan, perjuangan Umno tidak hanya diukur melalui kekuatan institusi tetapi juga melalui kualiti insan yang dilahirkan bagi membina agama, bangsa dan negara.

Justeru katanya, penekanan perlu diberikan kepada pembinaan generasi Melayu berkualiti, berteraskan agama, ilmu dan kepimpinan.

 

Derma Tabung Perjuangan