Umno’s problems lie at top level, not Terengganu, says analyst

 

Umno announced on Thursday that Ahmad Said was being replaced as head of Terengganu Umno, a move described by an analyst as a superficial change. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s recent defeat in the Kemaman by-election stemmed from issues in the party’s top leadership rather than in Terengganu Umno, says a political analyst.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said replacing Ahmad Said as the head of Terengganu Umno was a superficial change that failed to tackle the more profound problems behind the party’s declining performance in past elections.

He said Malay voters’ confidence in Umno had waned following its decision to collaborate with DAP in the federal unity government.

“I think that is the obvious scenario. The Malay voters see that Umno is no more suited than PAS for protecting Malay interests or Islam,” he told FMT.

“I guess that at least Umno is doing something by replacing the state leadership, but it would not solve anything because the problem is at the upper echelon, at the national level.”

Socio-political analyst Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Umno needs a more thorough post-mortem to pinpoint the root causes of the party’s decline in Terengganu and find the best solutions for Umno’s resurgence and progress.

“This analysis should ideally involve a thorough investigation,” he said.

Earlier this week, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced Ahmad’s replacement as head of Terengganu Umno, in the wake of the party’s poor performance in the general election last year and the state election in August.

However, Ahmad later claimed that he had resigned and named former Telemung assemblyman Rozi Mamat as his successor.

Awang Azman said that without a thorough post-mortem, it would be difficult to point fingers or truly blame any individual for the party’s recent decline.

Asyraf also announced that Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi would take over as Johor Umno chief from Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin.

Responding to the changing of the guard in Johor Umno, Azmi and Awang Azman said the move is not a major issue as Onn Hafiz is the state’s menteri besar.

Azmi said Onn Hafiz has proven himself as the menteri besar, and is accepted by Umno and the people of Johor.

Awang Azman said the move could allow Khaled to focus on Umno at the national level, dealing with broader issues beyond the state. - FMT