Isham Jalil mocks UMNO with “UMDAP” label

 

FORMER UMNO figure Isham Jalil, a vocal critic who was expelled from the party in late 2023 for opposing its cooperation with DAP, has once again taken to social media to mock the party’s grassroots supporters – whom he terms the “UMNO Original” – over the latest developments.

In a pointed taunt, Isham used the term “UMDAP” (a blend of UMNO and DAP) to describe what he sees as the current leadership’s deep and enduring alliance with the long-time rival party.

Responding directly to UMNO president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent announcement at the party’s general assembly, Isham expressed mock sympathy for the disillusioned base.

He wrote: “To the original UMNO grassroots, I sympathise with you—what can you do? You have no choice but to endure this UMDAP for another year or two.”

The remark comes after Zahid confirmed that the party’s internal leadership elections – originally due this year—have been postponed until after the 16th General Election (GE16), which must be held by the first quarter of 2028.

This delay, allowed under the party’s constitution, effectively extends the current leadership’s term and has fuelled frustration among some members who were anticipating potential contests for top positions.

Isham’s sarcasm highlights ongoing tensions within UMNO over its participation in the unity government alongside Pakatan Harapan (PH) partners, particularly DAP.

The “UMDAP” label has become a recurring pejorative used by critics like Isham to suggest that the party has lost its original Malay-nationalist identity under the current direction.

Isham ridiculed claims that Barisan Nasional/UMNO will “go solo” while still sharing seats with PKR, PAS, and DAP in the unity government.

“They say BN/UMNO will go ‘solo’, but ‘within the framework of the unity government’.”

He added that UMNO now views PAS as the enemy but DAP as an ally.

He also noted that there has been no party president election for a decade now. “Mantap UMDAP. DAP likes it, even though UMNO Original does not like this,” he concluded. —  Focus Malaysia