PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has outlined the direction Umno needs to take to ensure it stays true to its original struggles and remains relevant in the current political landscape.
In a wide ranging interview published in Mingguan Malaysia today, Najib touched on various issues that the party needed to face, including race relations and vernacular schools.
The prime minister also talked on “anxiety” among the Malays, and Umno’s commitment in defending their rights.
He allayed fears that the party had shirked its responsibilities in fighting for Malay rights by citing how he had initiated measures to strengthen the Bumiputera agenda when tabling the 2015 Budget.
“For the first time, I had chosen advancing the Bumiputera agenda as the main thrust of the budget.
“This was to show that we have done a lot for the Malays,” he said, adding that various initiatives had been put in place by the government and there was no need for the community to feel anxious about losing their rights.”
On race relations, Najib acknowledged there were some people with racist and extremist tendencies, and efforts must be taken to ensure the situation does not escalate.
He said measures must be taken to ensure such views did not lead to strained ties among the people.
“This must be avoided,” Najib said, adding that he had always stressed on moderation, or the wasatiyyah concept, in everything that was done.
He also noted that Umno had always been a “centrist” party, which had never gone overboard or become extreme in its ideology.
The Umno president also pointed out that it was Umno that had agreed to the formulation of the Constitution, which was a reflection of the social contract among various races in the country.
On challenges faced by Umno, he said the party needed to conduct a reality check in light of a more critical Malay electorate.
He said the situation was not unique to Malaysia as it had also become a trend elsewhere.
On calls for single-stream schools, the prime minister said any decision that was taken must not lead to racial disharmony or harm the country.
He said the government was committed to upholding what had been agreed upon when it came to any decision concerning vernacular schools.
“No prime minister has ever tried to close down vernacular schools. This is because of the commitment which we have been upholding since Merdeka (independence).”
Read the full interview in the ‘New Straits Times’ and ‘Berita Harian’ tomorrow.