UMNO Must Not Dwell In Nostalgia, But Emerge As Driving Force In Future Politics - Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- UMNO is no longer standing merely as a historical legacy, but instead serves as a strategic bridge in driving the continuity of the party’s struggle into a new era.

Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that ahead of UMNO’s 80th anniversary, the party must boldly redefine its role from a conventional political organisation to a civilisational movement that shapes the nation’s direction.

He said that in a world driven by artificial intelligence (AI), a borderless economy and uncertain geopolitics, UMNO cannot simply be a keeper of memory, but must instead act as an architect of the future.

“UMNO’s future lies in its courage to become a time-proof party, no longer one that seeks favours, but instead a party that builds capacity, creates opportunities, opens space and shapes a generation capable of standing confidently on the global stage,” he said in a Facebook post in conjunction with the party’s 80th anniversary.

Zambry, who is also the Higher Education Minister, in navigating these changes, UMNO needs to return to its core strength in managing crises and creating stability, particularly in addressing crises of meaning, trust and identity in the digital world.

He said that UMNO must become a knowledge-based party that upholds a culture of critical thinking and positions educational institutions as strategic partners in national development.

Zambry said that among UMNO’s main challenges is building a new synthesis that balances technological progress without losing core values, while driving modernity without eroding its identity.

Touching on the increasingly complex political landscape of the country, Zambry said UMNO needs to adopt a more inclusive approach grounded in unity and togetherness, rather than narrow racial sentiments and extreme hatred.

He said UMNO also needs to lead with an inclusive vision through the establishment of “Rumah Bangsa” which is not just a slogan, but a real platform for all parties to come together on the basis of justice, mutual respect and confidence in a shared future.

Meanwhile, Zambry said that political strength is no longer measured by absolute dominance, but by the ability to serve as a catalyst that fosters balance and unity.

He stressed that UMNO needs to return to organisational politics instead of personality-based politics, to ensure the party remains a strong movement in facing current challenges.

“Ultimately, UMNO needs to return to its original spirit as an islah movement, a reform movement based on Islamic values, the spirit of nationalism and patriotism, justice and humanity,” he said.

--BERNAMA