Speaking at Umno’s 80th anniversary convention in Kuala Lumpur today, Johari said: “From the speeches I’ve heard before mine, it feels as though we are still in a position of absolute power. We must realise we only have 26 seats, and that we are no longer leading this government.”

Johari, who is Titiwangsa MP, said Umno must also accept that Malay voters now have more choices, while the party’s image and integrity have yet to be fully restored.

He said the political landscape had changed significantly, particularly with young voters and social media users becoming key electoral forces. Umno’s long history, including its role in opposing the Malayan Union, achieving independence, and governing for decades, was no longer sufficient to win over voters.

Johari said Umno’s 80-year journey could be viewed in three phases: the struggle for independence, a period of dominance after independence through consecutive electoral victories, and its current phase of power-sharing.

He attributed the party’s decline to several factors, including a more competitive political environment, internal conflicts, major scandals, and shifts in public attitudes.

Internal disputes which were made public, especially on social media, had only turned Umno’s infighting into a spectacle for voters. Major scandals had also eroded public trust in the party’s credibility and integrity, he said.

“We may put on a show among ourselves, but over time, voters out there have lost trust,” he said. Voters today were more focused on issues such as the cost of living, jobs, and home ownership, and have low tolerance for shortcomings in transparency and accountability.

Johari said Umno must rebuild a strong team, embrace younger members, and work strategically towards the next general election. “If we can organise ourselves, work effectively within this coalition government through to the next general election, and show the public that we can deliver, then we stand a chance,” he said.