Umno General Assembly seen as crucial test of party direction ahead of GE16, say analysts

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 Umno General Assembly, scheduled for next week, is expected to serve as a key platform for the party to reaffirm its political direction and readiness for the 16th General Election (GE16).

Attention will be focused on grassroots sentiment, particularly over Umno leadership’s stance to remain in the Unity Government until the end of the current term, despite calls from the party’s Youth wing for Umno to withdraw from the government.

Geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the general assembly is the most appropriate platform for Umno to put to rest speculation over whether it will stay in the government or take a different course.

However, the National Council of Professors fellow believes Umno is unlikely to make any drastic decision that could threaten political stability.

"Umno must also look ahead. Are they prepared, within the next year and a half, to return to being the opposition? These issues will be debated to ensure a more balanced and objective view,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, said Umno’s position within the Government is expected to dominate delegates’ debates.

"This issue needs to be discussed openly at the assembly to secure a mandate from delegates on whether Umno should remain with the Government or pursue an alternative political path,” he said.

He added that the assembly is also likely to focus on strengthening the Malay and Bumiputera agenda, as well as party revitalisation efforts ahead of GE16, following Umno’s dismal performance in the last general election, where it won only 26 parliamentary seats.

Another political analyst, Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said the assembly will serve as a consolidation platform and a reaffirmation of party members’ support for Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academic said such support is a critical foundation before the party formulates its strategy for GE16.

"Post-GE15 election data show that internal divisions weakened Umno’s performance. This assembly is expected to underscore that loyalty to the central leadership is a key prerequisite for party unity and revival,” he said.

The Umno General Assembly 2025 will be held from Jan 14 to 17 at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur, after being postponed twice in August and November last year to allow the party to prepare for the 17th Sabah State Election. - Bernama