KUALA LUMPUR — Umno must stop being driven by fear politics and instead focus on rebuilding unity among Malays through long-term strategy, says Umno Vice-President Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Delivering his winding-up speech on the final day of the 2025 Umno General Assembly, he questioned why Umno members continued to fear cooperation with non-Malay-based parties, stressing that the real danger lay in Malay disunity.
“Why should we be afraid of DAP? We were never afraid of Gerakan, never afraid of MCA. We should not be afraid of non-Malay-based parties.
“What we should be afraid of is when Malays cannot unite," he said.
Johari said this was the rationale behind Umno’s call to open 'Rumah Umno' into a broader 'Rumah Bangsa' — a platform aimed at inclusivity and political cooperation, while acknowledging that unity could not be forced.
“We cannot force anyone. If Pas does not want to join us, that is their choice. I have no problem with Pas,” he said.
Rejecting the idea that Umno’s struggle is centred on enemies, Johari said the party’s political fight has always been anchored on structure, discipline and long-term planning.
“Umno’s fight and struggle has never been about enemies, but structured and long-term strategy.
"Wihtout this how we will come back to power. If we rely on money and power, we will lose because once we have neither we will lose," he said, stating that the party was now at a critical juncture to prove its relevance, not just to voters today but to future generations.
“This is the time to prove to the younger generation that Umno can rise again and remain relevant to the country,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised during the debates, Johari issued a firm message to Selangor Umno leaders, urging them to stay focused despite criticism and labels such as 'UmDAP'.
“To Selangor, continue the fight. Do not care what people say. Do not care if they call you UmDAP,” he said, stating Umno must chart its own path to recovery, even if the results are not immediate.
“If not for us, then do it for the next generation so they can see how we struggled,” he added.
The “UmDAP” label has been a recurring point of contention within the party, particularly following Umno’s cooperation with DAP in the unity government.
Earlier, Selayang Umno chief Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican defended Umno’s role in the coalition, insisting the party has acted as a check and balance on DAP.
“We have not given in to DAP’s demands, so why are we still being called UmDAP?” Hasnal said during the Umno Youth General Assembly.
He had cited Umno’s opposition to several proposals linked to DAP, including the revival of local council elections, recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), and the passing of the Urban Renewal Bill 2025.
Hasnal had said Umno must intensify efforts to correct negative narratives surrounding its participation in the unity government, warning that failure to do so has eroded grassroots support, particularly among Malays.