Idris Haron proposed 'Greater Umno' for Anwar to unite political parties

KLEBANG: Former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron has revealed that he once proposed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he lead a larger political organisation he envisioned as 'Greater Umno'.

Idris said he proposed the idea directly to Anwar to help him continue leading the government and play a bigger role in uniting Malaysians.

The former Sungai Udang assemblyman said that his idea did not refer to Umno as the existing Malay-based political party.

Instead, he envisioned an umbrella organisation called the 'United Malaysian National Organisation', bringing together various political parties under a central leadership.

"I told him that if he wanted to continue leading as prime minister, he needed to become Umno president.

"However, I did not mean Umno as a Malay party, but the United Malaysian National Organisation within a broader framework, or Greater Umno, serving as the central leadership for all political parties such as Umno, MCA, MIC, DAP, Gerakan, Amanah and Pas, with him as its president," he told reporters at his office in Klebang yesterday.

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Idris said under the proposal, all political party presidents would work together and support Anwar as president of the umbrella organisation under a single coordinating body.

He said efforts to unite the people and political parties should take precedence over maintaining a political approach based on race or ethnicity.

"This is what is needed now, in my view.

"I stand by the principle that the United Malaysian concept is more important than ethnic-based parties such as MCA, MIC and others," he said.

Idris stressed that he would continue to support Anwar's government as he believed the prime minister had the potential to play a greater role in uniting Malaysia.

He said the proposal could be realised to enable Anwar to emerge as a leader who unites various political parties under a broader leadership framework.