Analyst: Umno wants to stay relevant, PAS is cautious

KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno’s strong presence at PAS’ 64th annual muktamar confirms its intention to stay relevant among Malay-Muslim voters by cementing a co-operation with its former foe, says political analyst Dr Nazli Aziz.

However, as much as PAS and Umno try to convince the public of their amicable ties, he believes the new-found friendship is “a marriage of convenience with a possibility of divorce”.

“I think this move will only further weaken Umno as it looks as if it is depending on PAS for its survival,” said the deputy dean of Universiti Malaysia Terengganus school of social and economic development.

“I believe PAS has the upper hand over Umno in this relationship.”

Dr Nazli believed that even with PAS’ backing, Umno still will be weak in PAS strongholds – Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah – where there was a significant number of Malay-Muslim voters.

“Instead, PAS is expected to strengthen their presence there,” he said.

Dr Nazli said PAS appeared to be more cautious about the relationship than Umno, often describing it as a kerjasama (collaboration) instead of a gabungan (alliance).

“The party is afraid of losing its core values and also it does not want to be associated with Umno under a gabungan because Umno has baggage issues, including accusations of corruption,” he said.

Dr Nazli believed that PAS was instead going for a kerjasama with Umno because it wanted to show the public that it was a moderate party that was ready to work within others after the 14th general election.