Anwar wrong on Zahid’s return, say analysts

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi returned to active duty on June 30.

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have dismissed Anwar Ibrahim’s explanation for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s return to active duty in Umno, saying the party appears to have grown stronger, not weaker, in his absence.

Anwar, who is PKR president, had said that Zahid’s return was evidence that Umno was not yet “steady”, and that the party’s leadership under acting president Mohamad Hasan had not garnered enough support.

However, Kamarul Zaman Yusoff of Universiti Utara Malaysia said Zahid had received only a lukewarm welcome from Umno members.

He said this was understandable given the number of criminal charges the former deputy prime minister is facing.

“Umno under his leadership will have to struggle with the perception that it tolerates corruption, although the charges have yet to be proven,” he told FMT.

Zahid, who faces a total of 87 criminal charges, went on garden leave in December last year, apparently to stem the tide of Umno representatives leaving the party.

He announced his return to active duty as Umno president last Sunday.

Kamarul acknowledged speculation that the timing of Zahid’s return is to help Anwar in his quest to become prime minister, given that the two had been known to be close.

“However, any slight indication that Zahid is serving Anwar will land Zahid in trouble with Umno leaders,” he said, adding that many in the party are against Umno being used for this purpose.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia analyst Azmi Hassan also disagreed with Anwar’s remark.

“On the contrary, Zahid’s return is because Umno is getting stronger, and Pakatan Harapan’s internal bickering and incompetencies are encouraging him to return,” he said.

He added that Zahid would likely be encouraged by the success of Umno’s political cooperation with PAS, which he had initiated.

“There were reservations about his strategy of working with PAS, but Zahid stuck to his belief that it would be good for Umno.”

Azmi also noted the timing of Zahid’s return which coincides with the ongoing division meetings.

“I believe he is gauging the support for his return through the meetings,” he said. - FMT