KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today (Friday) assured his party members that he will never betray the party and allow it to be used as a "trading item".
In his presidential policy speech at the 2024 Umno General Assembly, Zahid said whatever decisions that the leadership makes in the future, the dignity of the party will never be compromised.
"Let us look back at the past six years when I took on the responsibility of leading the party. Along with my colleagues, we faced numerous challenges and there were attempts to undermine our party.
"Our leaders were insulted and there were attempts to bribe certain individuals to leave the party, with laws being manipulated according to the whims of those in power at the time.
"Hence, be assured that whatever decisions we make, I will never become a traitor, compromise the dignity of the party, or allow anyone to use this party as a political commodity," he said.
Among those present during the president's policy speech were deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Zahid, at the same time, expressed gratitude to Umno's top leadership for their support and cooperation in planning the party's survival following its defeat in the 14th General Election (GE14).
"We were in the opposition for 22 months and in such a challenging situation, we devised strategies and plans to ensure Umno does not sink amidst the changes (in the political landscape).
"I am grateful to my colleagues in the Supreme Council who stand with the deputy president, the vice-presidents and myself," he said.
Since Independence, Umno used to hold a large majority of seats in Parliament and the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition until the 14th General Election in 2018, where it only secured 54 out of 222 parliamentary seats.