Zahid Unveils ‘Blue Malaysia Agenda’ to Chart Nation’s Path to 100 Years of Independence

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 – UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) will unveil the Blue Malaysia Agenda to map out the nation’s long-term trajectory toward its centenary of independence should the coalition regain power in Putrajaya. UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the strategic roadmap goes beyond a conventional political wave, aiming to construct a sovereign, united, and innovative nation that attains high-income status while ensuring equitable distribution of national wealth and international standing.

Delivering his Presidential Policy Speech at the 2026 UMNO General Assembly (PAU) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Zahid outlined the core objectives of the framework. “Through the Blue Malaysia Agenda, we aim to generate national wealth, rebuild human capital, expand ownership, safeguard well-being, address crises, protect the people, build trust and defend national interests,” he stated. The event was attended by top party leadership, including UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, alongside secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the agenda comprises eight central pillars, chief among them being the transition of Malaysia into a “creator nation” driven by indigenous innovation and high-tech industries. Emphasizing the industrial shift, Zahid noted, “We want the world to use technology created by our people and support Malaysian brands. We want to move from producing goods that are ‘Made in Malaysia’ to those that are ‘Made by Malaysia’.” He added that “the country must set targets for high-tech companies and global-standard industries that are created, designed and owned by Malaysians,”.

A parallel priority under the blueprint involves transforming the country into a “Skills Nation” by establishing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary educational pathway. “We want our children from polytechnics, GIATMARA, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) TVET programmes, MARA Skills Institutes, professional Huffaz and pondok schools to join hands in shaping Malaysia into a ‘Skills Nation’,” Zahid said, emphasizing that the overarching goal is for 80 per cent of the national workforce to achieve high-skill classification and command premium wages.

Furthermore, the coalition aims to redefine national economic prosperity by setting benchmarks for household financial stability, including a target for every family to retain at least 30 per cent of its income as disposable income after fulfilling basic living requirements. The Blue Malaysia Agenda also encompasses realigning national taxation structures—including introducing reasonable rates for taxes such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST)—streamlining social security, simplifying business operations, and fostering regional economic growth based on the respective advantages of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.

In closing his policy address before 3,016 attending delegates, Zahid reaffirmed commitments to public sector welfare and Bumiputera economic development. “At the same time, we want to renew our commitment to civil servants, safeguard teachers’ welfare, bring Islamic muamalah into the mainstream and ensure the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) is implemented as a whole-of-government agenda,” he said. The 2026 UMNO General Assembly runs from September 9 to 12.

-NMT