KUALA LUMPUR — Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has described Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech as a clear indication of Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) direction ahead of the next general election.
Khairy said Zahid’s address also suggested that Umno and BN were preparing to make a bid to return to federal power.
“This is a speech with a clear direction for Umno and Barisan Nasional for the next general election.
“I summarise this speech as the speech of a prime minister in waiting and the speech of a government in waiting,” he told reporters after Zahid’s address at the 2026 Umno General Assembly at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, today.
Zahid, in his policy speech, positioned Umno as a party with a long-term vision for the country, rather than one focused solely on surviving from one election to the next.
He also called for the 16th general election (GE16) to be held as soon as possible, saying BN should seek a fresh mandate to lead the country.
Zahid further pledged that the judiciary and other institutions would not be used as political tools if BN returned to Putrajaya.
The third day of the assembly was also attended by four PAS leaders — vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad, secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and assistant secretary-general Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman. – September 11, 2026