Kuala lumpur: UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's policy address at the 2025 UMNO General Assembly today is seen as opening a new dimension in the party's struggle, with an emphasis on openness of thought and a political approach grounded in negotiation and national consultation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the party president not only called on members to unite, but also opened the door for all Malays to come together to drive and build renewal within the party. Johari highlighted that after 68 years of independence, the expectations of the Malay community have evolved significantly. He stressed the importance of embracing major changes and considering the views of the younger generation to prevent UMNO from lagging behind.

Johari, who is also the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, noted the necessity for UMNO to align with the new thinking of today's Malay society, which differs from that of the early post-independence era. UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin remarked that the keynote address demonstrated the president's willingness to create space for all parties to collectively address issues concerning Islam and Malays in the country.

Mohd Sharkar emphasized that the policy address brings a new dimension to UMNO's struggle, as the president has publicly opened the door for collaborative thinking about Islam and Malays in Malaysia. He countered perceptions of UMNO being a closed party, praising the explanations, concepts, and ideas presented by the president as a positive direction for the party.

Another UMNO Supreme Council member, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, described the policy address as rich with messages and perspectives. He highlighted the emphasis on national consultation as a clear indication of a shift in the country's political landscape, noting that the new political dynamic relies on negotiation rather than dominance of power. Reezal Merican stated that the ability to negotiate is the real tool in today's political scenario, marking a departure from traditional power dynamics.