Umno learning to stay afloat in uncharted waters

 

Umno’s survival dominated the talking points of the party's first annual general assembly since its worst electoral outing in history.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi set the tone yesterday in his policy speech by reaffirming that although the party was now part of a new coalition, its identity as the defender of Malays and Islam remains firmly entrenched.

Zahid stressed that Umno will never change its colours, unlike what he termed as "political chameleons" - a jab at former ally PAS which turned its back on the Muafakat Nasional pact with Umno in favour of Bersatu in 2020.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Although Zahid attacked those outside the unity government, many party leaders and delegates were more keen to discuss problems within.

This led to the debates taking a more introspective tone, instead of attacking political rivals.

Reclaiming past glory

While several party leaders praised Umno's decision to participate in the unity government because of the political stability it has brought, many party delegates sought concrete policies for the party's long-term objectives.

Top on the list of concerns was Umno's strategy to win back core Malay support that it had lost even before the last GE15, and how it could once again rise as the nation's most dominant political force.

Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros had warned there will be no reason for the Malays to choose Umno if it can only play a supporting role.

Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros

Batu Umno division chief Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim noted that many members remain unclear over the party's current direction after GE15 and the Umno polls that saw no contest for the president and deputy president's post.

To requests for greater Malay outreach, Zahid responded in his winding-up speech that he will use his influence in Putrajaya to secure various projects and initiatives that would benefit the party, such as a vocational course for women and a gig economy commission.

It was also apparent that the Umno leadership's decision over the past six months to sack or suspend several big names had come back to haunt them.

Some of these big names include Annuar Musa and Noh Omar - influential political warlords in Kelantan and Selangor, respectively – who are now siding with Perikatan Nasional.

Ardent Zahid critic Khairy Jamaluddin appears to have a similar intent.

Despite handing out the expulsions, Zahid indicated during his winding-up speech yesterday that the party was willing to reconsider the status of expelled leaders and warned them to tread carefully.

DAP and Bossku

Several speeches also underscored grassroots disenchantment of having to work with long-time enemy DAP and the fact that former party president, Najib Abdul Razak was still languishing in jail.

While the party's top brass is trying to project unity among the coalition government's 19 component parties, several lower-rung leaders decided to play the balancing act by taking potshots at DAP.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, in his wing's policy speech, had demanded an apology from DAP for the party's past allegations against Umno.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh

As for Najib, he was clearly still a crowd favourite with chants of "Hidup Bossku!" ringing through WTC Kuala Lumpur every time his name was mentioned.

For the Umno grassroots, many are expecting his release by means of a pardon which Umno's leadership has failed to secure, close to one year after his incarceration.

This presents a Catch-22 situation for Umno's leadership who know that Najib's pardon would definitely sour ties with Pakatan Harapan, who long demanded accountability for the 1MDB fiasco.

Moreover, Umno's leadership will also have to consider how Najib's pardon would affect Malay support, especially since Bersatu and PAS have projected themselves as cleaner alternatives to Umno. - Mkini