ALOR STAR: Umno has remained strong despite facing many crises throughout its 70 years and will continue to strive in many years to come.
The party has proven the critics wrong, rising above the all challenges, which has in fact, made the party stronger.
Kedah Umno veteran and former Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, said Umno has proven its strength in securing the country’s Independence and transforming the nation into a power that is to be reckoned with.
Thus, he strongly believes that Umno should continue to work hard in protecting the country’s sovereignty and its people.
“Umno will turn 71 years this May 11 and at this age, the party should be matured.
“Umno should have new leaders as successors to continue the legacies of the former leaders,” he said.
The 68-year-old former Pokok Sena Umno division chief applauded the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) agenda initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak.
He said the masterplan was the right move to groom new leaders for the party and the nation.
Abdul Rahman said Umno leaders must be articulate, intellectual and open-minded in handling criticisms from the public who are now more educated, thanks to the improvement in the country’s education system mobilised by Umno.
“Umno is facing different types of challenges, thanks to the education system which encouraged and helped Malaysians to become literate.
“People are now more aware of their rights and voice their concern openly on issues that are related to them,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said this 71st anniversary is a significant turning point for Umno to decide on its direction in the future.
He said to ensure Umno remains relevant for the people, the party must adapt to changes and reinvent itself from time to time, without compromising on its original struggles.
“Party members also must be loyal and stand firm with the party. Umno should not fall prey to opportunists who are out to use the party as stepping stone in politics,” he said.