‘Forever centrist’: Tok Mat insists Umno won’t veer left or right
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Umno will remain a centrist and moderate party and will not be pushed towards the political left or right, its deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said today in an assurance to non-Malays and bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak.
Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, said Umno’s ideology was rooted in centrism and that the party would continue to take the middle ground as a national party.
“My emphasis is that Umno will forever be centrist. Our ideology is centrism.
“Once again I repeat, Umno is a group and party of the middle and will forever follow the middle path,” he said in his speech at the simultaneous opening of the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri Umno general assemblies here last night.
He said Umno would not lean to the left or right, but would seek to balance ideas from both sides while remaining a moderate national party.
He said the party’s political position had been tested over decades through its experience in governing the country with moderate policies, positions and priorities.
“Therefore, anyone who wants to work with Umno must accept Umno’s moderation and centrist approach.
“You cannot impose your conservative or radical ideology on Umno,” he said.
Mohamad also sought to reassure non-Malays and non-Muslim bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak that Umno’s focus on Malay politics would not come at the expense of their rights and interests.
He said the Malays would continue to serve as the “indigenous nation” providing space and opportunities for everyone.
“We will ensure this homeland is a homeland for all, prosperous and carefully managed, in line with what is enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Mohamad said Umno’s pledge was for a fair and united Malaysia, adding that the party would manage Malay politics maturely.
“It will in no way become a burden or threat, nor deny your rights and interests,” he said, addressing non-Malay friends and non-Muslim bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said Umno’s vision was for a peaceful Malaysia where all communities complemented one another.
