Umno’s actions not matching its words, says analyst

 Another observer sees BN’s call for an early GE16 as a response to coming under pressure with Tabung Haji and other cases.

Umno has repeatedly stressed that it supports Anwar Ibrahim but, analysts say, their actions do not reflect that promise.

PETALING JAYA:

Despite pledging to back Anwar Ibrahim until the end of the current parliamentary term, Umno appears to be trying to undermine the prime minister instead of actually supporting him, says an analyst.

James Chin.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania said Umno was already putting the screws on Anwar, especially after its strong showing in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls, with the latter election won through a pact with Perikatan Nasional.

With the Melaka state election also expected soon and another Barisan Nasional victory widely anticipated, Chin said the Umno-led coalition would want to ride on this momentum by pushing for an early general election.

“They’re putting on the pressure because they don’t want to lose the momentum. Will Anwar bow to the pressure? I think it’s too early to say. Anwar is also sorting out his new alliance as well, minus Umno.

“I expect (ties between Pakatan Harapan and BN) to worsen, but Umno will be playing a game.

“They will say that they support Anwar, but all their actions will be the opposite, which is to try and undermine Anwar,” Chin told FMT.

Azmi Hassan.

Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan sees BN’s call for an early GE16 as a response to coming under pressure, with leaders facing possible legal action following investigations into Tabung Haji and possibly even Felda.

“The pressure is on, on both sides,” he said, adding that BN would also want to maintain its momentum of election wins.

Azmi warned that this could cause greater instability in the PH-led federal government, saying BN still holds significant sway over the other political parties that form the Madani administration.

“Although it only holds 30 seats, I think BN’s actions will create a ripple effect on other political parties.”

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said it would be “better” for Anwar to call GE16 early instead of waiting for the automatic dissolution of Parliament at the end of next year, although BN was prepared if the prime minister opts to complete his five-year term.

This comes on the back of the results of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, which have also resulted in deteriorating ties between BN and PH.

Nonetheless, Zahid has repeatedly said that BN would back Anwar as prime minister until GE16.

BN pulling support unlikely, better to push for snap polls

Chin does not expect BN to withdraw its support for Anwar even if he refuses to succumb to pressure for an early GE16.

He said Umno did not need to overthrow the government right now as it could afford to wait for GE16, where a pact with PN would likely lead to their alliance sweeping most, if not all, Malay-majority seats in the country.

“Umno has every incentive to force an early GE16 as they think they are unbeatable now with PAS’s support,” he added. - FMT