Umno Youth Chiefs A Legacy Of Theatrics And Strategy Says Political Activist

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POLITICAL activist Lyana Marzuki has highlighted the recurring pattern of dramatics and strategic undertones in the actions of UMNO Youth Chiefs throughout history.
Comparing the roles of past and present Youth Chiefs, she noted how their aggressive personas and controversial antics often play into larger political strategies.
“Once someone puts on the shoes of an UMNO Youth Chief, they seem to transform—suddenly becoming irrational and racist in their rhetoric,” said Lyana.
She pointed to instances like Najib Razak’s fiery speeches during Ops Lalang in 1987.
“This incited a rally by UMNO Youth at the time. This led to 106 people (including women) being detained under the ISA and sent to Kamunting, with opposition leaders imprisoned without trial,” she noted.
Referring to Hishammuddin Hussein, she mentions the infamous keris-wielding gesture, both of which stirred public controversy and were tied to UMNO’s political maneuvers.
According to Lyana, these Youth Chiefs rarely operate independently.
“There are always hidden hands from senior leaders, directing these youth movements to execute psyops or underground agendas,” she added.
While she acknowledged UMNO’s youth wing as the most organised and effective compared to other parties, Lyana criticised the lack of intellectual contributions from other youth wings.
“PAS Youth’s approach feels immature, relying on trolling rather than building the ummah’s intellect. As for AMK and Amanah Youth, their efforts don’t seem impactful anymore,” she said.
Despite her critiques, Lyana encouraged Malaysians to view politics with a critical eye.
“It’s like watching wrestling—there’s a lot of theatrics. We shouldn’t blindly idolize anyone,” she said. —Focus Malaysia

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