JOHOR BARU: Umno, in celebrating its 71st anniversary, should be more open and realistic.
Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the party had emerged as a mass movement arising from Malay sentiment that independence and freedom is a right and honour.
Khaled said that for 71 years the party has brought the meaning of that honour in various facets of the nation's independence.
"In the past seven decades, Umno has given meaning to that honour through a myriad of input relating to independence.
"Umno has become a mover of the nation and its people as it has good systematic practices in nation building," Khaled said.
"The party advances the Malays, making them more competitive. Umno even designed the template of democratic practices entrenched in the ethos of moderation, openness and inclusiveness," hes said.
However, Khaled reminded members that Umno must be more open and realistic.
"We cannot be contented with being a storyteller's archive, lost in nostalgic memories of the nation's glorious history and how Umno was the protagonist.
"Instead, Umno has to start exploring and listen to the cries and pleas for change, not only from all corners of the state, but also from within Umno itself," he said.
"Umno must now try to find the best narrative in order to continue leading the nation. It must be prepared to speak the language of change. Umno needs to bravely engage youths and millennial, as well as to be able to display maturity and leadership that answers the challenges thrown its way in the 21st century," he said, urging all members to continue to be Umno's pillars of strength.