Khairy likens Umno to a centrist party that can ‘work things out so that nobody loses’

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Although it largely champions Malay-Muslim causes, Khairy Jamaluddin said Umno naturally positions itself as a centrist party. 

“It is a bit like a big tent. That is why I can exist in the party, and so can Akmal and Asyraf,” he said, referring to Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and party secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

He explained that this allows Umno to navigate cultural contestations better than most other political parties in Malaysia, noting that such incidents have been amplified by certain individuals in recent years. 

“Ultimately, Umno believes the position for Malay parties in Malaysia is at the centre, where you give and take, understand each other’s rights and the Constitution and work things out so that nobody loses.

“In that accommodation, there is victory actually and not many countries can do that.”

Compared to most of its unity government counterparts, Khairy said Umno has performed relatively well in defending its core voters and values while accommodating broader reforms. 

As such, he said the “UMDAP” accusations levelled by the Opposition to portray Umno as subservient to DAP in the unity government is completely baseless. 

Khairy said Umno has strongly opposed changes that affect its Malay-Muslim voter base such as the Urban Renewal Act , recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate and calls to abolish the Sedition Act. 

However, he stressed that Umno must emerge as the dominant force within the coalition that comes to power in the next election.

For that, Khairy said Umno has to contest enough seats to increase their chance of securing a majority together with political blocs from Sabah and Sarawak to form a strong and stable government, 

“I am not asking for dominance again. I think those years are gone of Umno dominating the country for 60 years before we lost.

“The reality will still be coalition politics for the next two to three cycles but within the (ruling) coalition, Umno should be strongest.

“I understand that Ahmad Zahid has said that we won’t contest all the seats and that is fine. But, we cannot just contest in 30 seats in the next election. That is just lack of ambition,” he added. 

Khairy also said Umno should not be blamed as the reason why crucial reforms have stalled. He explained the real dilemma that the government is grappling with is shifting coalition politics that constantly puts it in survival mode.