KUALA LUMPUR: To attract more youngsters, Umno needs a new narrative based on hope and the future, instead of one that harps on past successes.
Umno Overseas Club (UOC) representatives Afiq Adham Muhammad Fadhil said while it is a known fact that the party is focused on taking care of the bottom-40 (B40) group and those living in rural areas, such a narrative must be changed if Umno wants more support from millennials.
"Our generation needs a struggle that we can relate to, an Umno that will give attention to urbanites and those in the middle-40 (M40) group.
"That is why we welcome the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) with open arms, as it is a bottom-up approach, taking our ideas into account in crafting the future of Malaysia," he said in his debate at the Umno general assembly today.
Afiq expressed hope that the party would allocate funds to the club to allow it to organise more engagement sessions with young Malaysians abroad to get them on board with TN50.
"TN50 is perfect for us - the hope to lift Umno to its glory days will become a reality if the right method is used," said Afiq, who is also the UOC council of presidents head.
He suggested that the party position more young icons at the forefront to gain more supporters from Generation Y and Z, saying that Umno is slowly losing traction, especially among overseas students, as it lacks "relatable young icons".
"We need more icons like Khairy and Datuk Mas," he said, referring to Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
"This generation only listens to who we want to listen to - we need icons who are active on social media, or even study where we are studying," he added.