PAS, Najib pardon and other things to look out for at Umno AGM

 

All eyes will be on the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTC KL) in the next few days, where the country's largest Malay party, Umno, will gather for its annual general meeting (AGM).

This year's meet takes place while Umno is at an enigmatic crossroads, trapped between its federal-level cooperation with Pakatan Harapan and its increasingly warm signals toward PAS-led Perikatan Nasional.

Here are four things to look out for at the AGM.

1) Who will PAS send to attend

PAS is the only non-BN party invited to the AGM, ostensibly to reciprocate Umno's invitation to the PAS muktamar last week.

While PAS' attendance is confirmed, there are questions about who would represent the Islamist party at the meeting.

Previously, during the muktamar, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (above) cancelled his attendance at the last minute, sending party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in his stead.

Despite this, PAS is expected to take the high road and continue making an effort to woo Umno.

If PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang himself attends despite his relatively frail health, it'll be a strong signal about PAS' commitment to the Malay unity agenda.

Regardless of who attends, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur analyst Mazlan Ali (above) said the reciprocal invitations indicate a strong willingness between Umno and PAS to work things out.

2) Umno delegates’ stance on Madani partners

Umno delegates are expected to voice strong support for Umno-PAS cooperation, and are likely to take digs at DAP.

However, what will be interesting to observe is how delegates talk about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PKR, and the Madani coalition.

Zahid and Anwar are making it a point to say that everything is hunky dory despite Umno straying away from Harapan, but what delegates say may be more revealing.

But Universiti Malaya analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi (above) expects heated discussions about the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry report and its ramifications, including fresh charges against the haj fund's former chairperson Abdul Azeez Rahim.

"Delegates will raise the issue of why the Tabung Haji RCI and the repeal of UUCA (Universities and University Colleges Act) are only being announced now?

"Given that both could have been done in the first year of the Madani government, the move gives the impression that there is an ulterior motive," he told Malaysiakini.

Zahid's complaints about funding could also prompt rebukes from Umno grassroots at the AGM.

3) Snap election calls, govt collapse?

Zahid has said that Umno wants a snap general election, but has tempered the call by saying that the party is also prepared to serve a full term with Harapan.

However, if delegates push for snap polls, it could embolden Zahid to make another attempt.

In such a scenario, it would also be interesting to observe whether Zahid would be bold enough to pull Umno and BN out of the government in order to hasten an election.

The Madani government still has enough numbers to remain in power without BN, but an exit by the latter could shake the commitment of other partners, namely Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

4) Najib pardon?

The Umno AGM this year is also expected to coincide with a Federal Territories Pardons Board hearing on Najib Abdul Razak's bid to be freed from jail.

The pardons hearing is expected to be held this Friday, the same day as the Umno main body AGM begins.

Previously, when the Pardons Board halved Najib's prison sentence in the SRC International case, it took four days before the news was officially announced.

However, if a decision is made on Friday, it could be announced at the Umno AGM as a means to galvanise and excite delegates.

The Umno AGM kicks off tonight with deputy president Mohamad Hasan officiating the wings’ meetings, and will conclude with the main body AGM on Saturday.  - Mkini