He said the party is determined to be a “game changer” and changes must be made to the party’s approach so that Umno and Barisan Nasional would return as the dominant party in the government.

“We must change as Malays have become more educated and open-minded, and are looking to Umno and BN to govern and be dominant again in the 15th general election and beyond,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly today.

“They are counting on us and if we do not change our mindset, we will be perceived as not having changed, and if we do not change, there are concerns we will fall.”

Zahid said party members aged 50 and below will be selected as candidates if they met the “Wali” criteria of being winnable, acceptable and likeable. He also assured the Youth, Puteri and Wanita wings that their members would be given the opportunity to contest election seats.

Zahid said Umno will set up a political education centre led by vice-president Khaled Nordin. The party will also endow a research chair in collaboration with a local university with a RM5 million contribution.

The general assembly ended today after sitting for four days from Wednesday.