KUALA LUMPUR: A story about an unidentified species of selfish "dinosaur" and "a colony of ants" took centrestage during the 2023 Umno General Assembly at the Dewan Merdeka of the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here today.

This was after an Umno veteran said party leaders who displayed the selfish attitude of a dinosaur were detrimental to the development and survival of the party, especially after its poor showing during the last two general elections.

Without identifying the exact species of the dinosaurs, Datuk Zainal Abidin Sakom said the ego of the prehistoric animal in refusing to cooperate with other species resulted in the species becoming extinct from the face of the earth.

"There is this (species of) dinosaur, which is so huge and extremely strong that it has become self-absorbed and only thinks about its survival

"This dinosaur only thinks about itself, it would kill its wife and even offspring for food.

"It was too late when the dinosaur finally realised that it needed to work in a team to survive. The life of the dinosaurs finally came to an end until it became extinct," Zainal said when debating Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's presidential policy speech.

He later took a swipe at a certain Umno warlord who refused to make way for new faces to contest in a state constituency in the country.

"There is this dinosaur that insisted on contesting in the election again and again even though he or she lost the contest for a state seat more than twice," he said without identifying the Umno leader.

To return Umno to its former glory, Zainal said the party needs leaders and members who are able to work together for the same goal.

"Let us emulate the attitude of a colony of ants. Although small in size, ants have no problem working in a huge team in order to achieve a common goal.

"This is what we need to rejuvenate the party. We need party leaders and members who are able to emulate the working spirit of ants.

"To all Umno leaders and members, especially from the party's youth wing, let's close our ranks, work together in unison and help to restore the confidence of the people," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/06/918637/do-not-be-selfish-dinosaur-emulate-spirit-cooperation-ants-umno-veteran