UMNO losing youth due to old thinking, recycled leaders: Ex-Johor Speaker

Former Johor State Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi asserts that UMNO is increasingly disconnected from young Malaysians, attributing this to the party's persistent old-guard mentality and its reliance on "recycled" leaders. Zarkashi, who recently left UMNO on June 25, argues that many party leaders still engage in insular politics, frequently labeling any opposition as DAP sympathizers.

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UMNO is getting further away from Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha. That's why I say UMNO, which is 80 years old, should be led by the fourth generation of UMNO, not recycled leaders. But UMNO leaders are very stubborn.

"UMNO is getting further away from Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha. That's why I say UMNO, which is 80 years old, should be led by the fourth generation of UMNO, not recycled leaders. But UMNO leaders are very stubborn," Zarkashi stated in a Facebook post. His remarks follow criticism from several UMNO leaders, including the political secretary to the UMNO President, Razlan Rafii, after he appeared on a Pakatan Harapan (PH) stage to endorse PKR candidate Dr. Maszlee Malik.

Zarkashi criticized this narrow-mindedness, questioning the effectiveness of associating opponents with DAP to gain Malay support. "That's the narrow thinking of some UMNO leaders. Still practicing politics under a shell. Do they think by associating anyone with DAP, UMNO will get Malay support?" he asked. He pointed to the large turnout at the PH dialogue session in Felda Ulu Tebrau as evidence that Felda communities are now more politically independent and willing to form their own stances, challenging UMNO's traditional stronghold.

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That's the narrow thinking of some UMNO leaders. Still practicing politics under a shell. Do they think by associating anyone with DAP, UMNO will get Malay support?

Explaining his presence at the PH event, Zarkashi clarified that he attended as a supporter of the unity government, which includes both PH and Barisan Nasional (BN). "It's not wrong for me to go on the PH stage. Besides, I have already left UMNO. It is my right to support whomever I want based on the candidate's personal merits," he stated. His actions and commentary signal a significant internal critique of UMNO's direction and its ability to connect with contemporary voters.

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It's not wrong for me to go on the PH stage. Besides, I have already left UMNO. It is my right to support whomever I want based on the candidate's personal merits.