Zahid Urges UMNO to Embrace New Thinking and Bold Reforms to Stay Relevant
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1, 2026 — President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has called on the party to step out of its comfort zone and generate new ideas to ensure its long-term survival and relevance in Malaysia’s political landscape.
He said UMNO can no longer rely solely on its historical legacy, but must undergo comprehensive rebranding, including stronger political marketing strategies and renewed engagement with voters.
According to Zahid, the transformation effort must also involve parties within the Barisan Nasional coalition.
“We must think not only about the next 20 years, but also about the next 22 months, when we will face the next general election.
“From now on, we need strong political ‘products’, effective branding, and solid marketing strategies,” he said.
He made the remarks during the first anniversary dinner of the UMNO Political School (SPU) held here on Sunday night.
Zahid warned that the party must implement extraordinary reforms if it wants to avoid repeating the poor electoral performance seen in the 2018 and 2022 general elections.
“If voters make the same choices again, I fear that by the time UMNO reaches its 100th anniversary, we may be forced to close our political chapter,” he said.
He also stressed that strengthening the party requires addressing negative perceptions and unfavourable narratives that have driven voters away from UMNO and BN.
“Even if our policies are good, negative public perception will prevent us from moving forward. This perception problem is our biggest challenge,” he said.
Zahid highlighted the role of the UMNO Political School in developing future leaders and young political thinkers who can support top leadership through policy analysis and strategic input.
He said SPU graduates are expected to become key assets in shaping UMNO’s future direction and rebuilding public confidence in the party.
-wilayah.com.my
