KUALA LUMPUR – In a surprising turn of events, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan now claims that the ‘special quotas and privileges for youths’ are outdated ideas that are ill-suited for the youth of current generation.
In fact, Mohamad commonly known as Tok Mat stressed that such constructs were created by imperialistic powers that were aiming to divide the people that they were colonialising.
"The idea of separation specifically for the younger generation, in the form of special quotas and various privileges, is an outdated notion. It is a thought of imperialism that likes to divide, class and stratify.
"This party and our homeland must be developed through the collaboration of everyone. We should not be divided and separated, whether between the young and old, the new and the veteran or between men and women.
"You (Umno members) do not need all those 'special' things," he said when officiating the party’s Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings annual meeting scheduled tomorrow.
Tok Mat's remark was rather uncharacteristic as Umno has always been championing for Malay rights and privileges since its birth on May 11, 1946.
In his keynote address, the Rembau MP also called on the wings’ delegates to be more independent and to not overly rely on the party’s upper echelons for help.
"Stop demanding positions, contracts, and titles. Don't be deceived by the allure of power and rewards just because we are part of the current government.
"Step forward and provide leadership. Make efforts for the party in various ways, modalities, and arenas.
"The knowledge you possess is often something we lack. The new ideas you all have are sometimes beyond our reach. The skills you possess are not our skills,” Tok Mat stressed.