(Updated 9:13pm, 25 March 2009)
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: Umno Youth needs to close ranks with the new leadership after the party election and continue to concentrate on efforts to regain the support of the people for Umno.
The movement’s information head, Datuk Azimi Daim said this could not be delayed as Umno would be facing a serious challenge in the three by-elections on 7 April.
“We must become the voice that is seen as representing the cause of the people and not that of sycophants,” he said when tabling the motion of thanks for the policy speech by the movement’s head at the Umno Youth general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, here today.
He said the real enemies of Umno Youth were the opposition who would be the challengers in the by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Perak, Bukit Selambau, Kedah and Batang Ai, Sarawak beginning 29 March which is the nomination day.
Umno Youth must get closer to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which were championing the interests of the Malay (Malaysians) just like the days when Umno was first formed in 1946, he said.
Azimi expressed the movement’s appreciation to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who would be relinquishing the post of Umno Youth head, which he had held since 1998, at the general assembly today.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Education Minister, had succeeded in uniting the movement’s members when the party was facing a serious challenge from the opposition in the past 10 years, he said.
Debating the motion, Arau Youth representative Jafri Othman called on the government to review the policy on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.
“The government should realise that we should first strengthen the students’ and teachers’ understanding of the language before the language is used to teach the subjects.
“How can the students understand the subjects when the teachers themselves are having difficulties teaching in the language?” he said. “We should remember that those who teach Science and Mathematics are not English teachers.”
Permatang Pauh Umno youth representative, Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said called on party leaders not to remain quiet when the party came under attack from opposition parties as well as from Barisan Nasional component parties.
Rantau Panjang Umno youth representative Mohd Afendi Yusof suggested that an Act be formulated to provide heavy penalties against those found to have insulted the rulers.
He also called on the Home Ministry not to reinstate the publication permits of Harakah and Suara Keadilan, which are currently suspended for three months.
“Harakah and Suara Keadilan tell no other stories other than spreading lies about the government,” he said.
Pokok Sena representative Haris Che Mat called on members of the movement to give priority to helping the people, especially the Malay Malaysians.
Mohd Helmy Din, the movement’s representative from Rasah, called on state governments to amend their respective constitutions to include a provision making it mandatory for the post of menteri besar or chief minister to be filled by Malay (Malaysian) leaders.
Permatang Pauh Umno youth representative, Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said called on party leaders not to remain quiet when the party came under attack from opposition parties as well as from Barisan Nasional component parties.
Pahang Umno Youth representative Mohamad Sahfri Abd Aziz wants the movement to be brave in defending the Malay rights and privileges and the rulers’ institution.
“We should be united and brave in taking on traitors who question our rights and the rulers’ institution,” he said.
The Federal Territory Umno Youth representative Syed Mehdar Syed Abdullah said Umno’s main enemy was not the opposition.
“We are our own enemies. The time has come for the movement to be given new perspectives. God willing, we will consolidate our position,” he said.
Perak Umno youth representative Shamsul Zairil Kamaruddin hopes the movement would work towards attracting more professionals to join the movement. — Bernama
