Umno stuck and not making headway, says Chin Tong

 

DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong says Malaysians are worried at the prospect of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi becoming prime minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong believes Umno is stuck and has not made political headway since Parliament was dissolved earlier this month, with infighting and voters’ fear of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi becoming prime minister among the reasons.

He said voters may have been put off by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision to dissolve Parliament despite the possibility of monsoon floods.

Other reasons for Umno’s failure to make headway were the perception of Umno as a source of instability and the party’s lack of funds for the election campaign.

Liew said voters did not appreciate Umno’s push for the elections, out of their own interests, despite the warnings of possible floods.

Neither were voters swayed by Umno’s claim of being able to form a stable government, Liew said, because the party was seen to be the source of instability by aiding in the toppling of the Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional governments.

Liew also claimed that Umno was facing financial problems. In the previous general election, the party’s machinery had been financed by funds of 1MDB, he said.

“Even if Ismail’s faction may have some funds, they are unlikely to spend much with no guarantee of him becoming prime minister again,” Liew said in a Facebook post.

He said Umno was split between the “court cluster” and “minister cluster” since the Sheraton Move in 2020.

The court cluster refers to prominent Umno leaders, including party president Zahid, who are either on trial or have been convicted for graft among others.

The minister cluster refers to Umno MPs who are part of Ismail’s Cabinet.

Liew said Zahid’s declaration that Umno would nominate 70% fresh faces for the elections could put them at odds with warlords who would sabotage or boycott the Umno campaign if they are not fielded.

There were also fears of Zahid becoming the next prime minister, as his popularity could not match that of former Umno president Najib Razak, even though Najib’s support was split among Malays according to surveys.

Liew said: “I have yet to meet a Malaysian who thinks that Zahid would be a good prime minister.”

Many Malaysians were worried, with Zahid being presented as the face of Umno, he said. - FMT