Tok Mat: ‘Rumah Bangsa’ should anchor Malay unity, but Umno won’t form new political alliance
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Umno is open to Malay unity at any time, but any such cooperation must be sincere, strategic and anchored by the concept of “Rumah Bangsa”, said party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, said Umno remained open to working with Malay parties regardless of their political ideology, provided the cooperation was based on a clear understanding of the interests and future of the Malay community.
“Umno is open to Malay unity at any time. We are open to cooperation with all Malay parties, regardless of their ideology,” he said in his speech at the simultaneous opening of the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri Umno general assemblies here last night.
However, Mohamad said such cooperation must not be driven by seasonal political considerations or short-term gains.
He said Umno’s approach to Malay unity must instead be guided by the concept of “Rumah Bangsa”, which he described as a platform for the broader interests of the Malay community.
He added that the party did not need to establish new political alliances and would remain with Barisan Nasional, while maintaining flexibility in its cooperation with other parties.
Mohamad said that the party’s experience showed that political cooperation could provide short-term benefits, but would not necessarily strengthen Umno’s position in the long term if the party became dependent on others.
“We must build our own strength. We must have our own solid Malay support base,” he said.
Mohamad said Umno’s recent victories in Johor and Negri Sembilan showed that Malay voters could once again place their trust in the party, but warned that the support should not be taken for granted.
He said the party’s priority now was to consolidate that support while remaining open to cooperation that could strengthen Malay unity and political stability.
