Umno hosts meeting with 7 parties on Islam, Bumiputera issues

2026-03-05 - 15:13

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (seated, centre) said representatives from Amanah, PKR, PAS, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah and Berjasa joined the meeting. (Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Umno today chaired a meeting (musyawarah) at its Kuala Lumpur headquarters to discuss issues concerning Islam, the Malay community, and the Bumiputera, bringing together eight political parties from different blocs. Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the meeting brought together representatives from Amanah, PKR, PAS, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) and Berjasa. “This meeting serves as an important platform for open exchange of views to find common ground on matters concerning the shared interests involving Islam, the Malays, and the Bumiputera in this country,” he said in a Facebook post. He said he was entrusted by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to chair the inaugural meeting, which Zahid initiated to unite various parties – regardless of their affiliations – for the benefit of the ummah and Islam. “In a democracy, political parties, whether in government or opposition bloc, can have different views. That is the norm in politics. “However, when it comes to issues related to Islam, the position of Malays, and the future of the Bumiputera, these should be common ground that unites the parties, transcending partisan politics.” Asyraf also said all eight parties agreed to establish a secretariat that would serve as a platform for open, transparent, and continuous discussions and dialogues on these issues. During Umno’s 2025 annual general assembly, Zahid proposed a “grand coalition” to unite Malay-Muslim parties under one umbrella. He insisted that the proposal would not threaten the unity government and that the coalition would start as an informal alliance without requiring parties to dissolve. Zahid added that there was no committee yet for the proposed collaboration, but Umno would seek meetings with the top leaders of other Malay and Islamic parties.