PETALING JAYA: When Umno delegates last met in December 2019, the mood was buoyant from a string of by-election victories after a crushing general election defeat in 2018. This weekend, a more serious matter is at hand — a question of the party’s survival.
In 2019, after trouncing Pakatan Harapan at four by-elections, Umno had secured the Muafakat Nasional alliance with PAS and the all-Malay partnership was growing from strength to strength.
Now, Umno’s relations with new friends, old enemies and new “frenemies” will be the focus.
Party leaders must decide whether to “cement” what the grassroots have been pushing for, the severance of ties with friend-turned-foe PPBM. The leadership must also answer questions on the alleged secret talks with new arch-enemy PKR, and also the former enemy turned ally, PAS, which is dithering between Umno and PPBM.
During the discussions today and tomorrow at the 74th annual general assembly, the party’s big guns will feel the pressure – especially party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi whose trial on corruption charges looks increasingly to be politically troublesome.
“We are hoping the top leadership affirms the stand of the majority of divisions, that we do not want to work with PPBM,” Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, a Federal Territories Umno Youth leader told FMT.
“I think there is pressure on the leadership to cement the divisions’ stand, particularly those who are in the government. This is something they must do.”
It has been reported that 147 of the 191 Umno divisions had rejected cooperation with PPBM in the coming election, and would only support the Perikatan Nasional-led government until Parliament is dissolved.
There are those who actually want the ties severed immediately. Such a decision would put the “Cabinet cluster”, of those who hold government positions, in a fix.
On the other hand, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has stirred up a new hornet’s nest by claiming to have had unofficial talks with Umno leaders.
Wan Agyl, who will represent FT Umno Youth at the wing’s assembly said the party was clear that it would not work with PKR or DAP at the coming general election.
He said many are looking forward to the annual assembly setting the party’s direction for the general election.
“We need to get everyone to agree, and just move forward. If we have set a direction, and there are people still intent on trying to get the party to change its stand, that will be bad. It will affect our preparation for the elections.”
Wan Agyl said all Umno leaders, regardless if they are MPs, ministers or hold posts in the party, must toe the party line and put the party’s interest first.
The leadership itself is a poser for the delegates. With Zahid’s court case hanging over his head, will he be the man to lead the party into the next elections and the future?
Or do the delegates look to a new leadership?
This assembly will not see party elections but the question of rejuvenation could be on the lips of the delegates considering that the so-called “court cluster” – those facing charges in court – are at loggerheads with the Cabinet cluster.
Umno, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is desperately in need of a united leadership to pick it up from its lowest ebb in history.
University Malaya socio-political analyst Awang Azman Pawi said he believes there will be heated debates over Umno-PPBM ties.
“I won’t be surprised if PPBM is made a punching bag, alongside Umno leaders who are seen as opposing the push to cut ties with PPBM, like Annuar Musa.”
Jeniri Amir, a fellow of the National Professors Council said Umno can no longer run away from addressing the “elephant in the room”.
“I don’t see the leadership as having any choice but to cut ties with PPBM. So I don’t foresee any fireworks.”
With so many new and old enemies and a friend who is not fully committed to the partnership, there will be a lot for Umno delegates to talk about – on top of their own leadership’s woes.
For once, the guns may not be aimed at perennial target DAP. - FMT
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