Expert: Members’ views could shape party’s direction

PETALING JAYA: The latest calls by Umno to not work with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia could be a form of preparation for the next general election, say experts.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the latest anti-Bersatu wave among Umno grassroots could be “to address a few issues” related to their 15th General Election preparations.

However he said the situation could remain the status quo unless Umno was willing to be seen as forcing the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional government during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This could be a bargaining or negotiation strategy for inter-party collaboration such as Umno and Perikatan or Bersatu. They could just negotiate again.

“Umno has to address the root of the problem, ” he added.

Prof Sivamurugan cautioned that Umno might have to be careful as the party had laid out its cards too fast compared to its political opponents, who had yet to react to the situation.

On Tuesday, Tan Sri Annuar Musa was sacked as Barisan Nasional secretary-general.

It was reported that Annuar, the Federal Territories Minister and Umno Ketereh division chief, was sacked from his position by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is Umno and Barisan chairman.

Annuar had been at the forefront opposing the constant call by Ahmad Zahid to cease political cooperation with Bersatu and pull out from the Perikatan government.

At the Umno divisional meetings over the weekend, it was reported that Ahmad Zahid had publicly proposed that the party stop cooperating with the Perikatan government and not work with Bersatu in the next general election.

The 191 Umno divisions that met last weekend were divided over Ahmad Zahid’s proposal.

International Islamic University Malaysia law professor Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod said Umno could also be considering to just work with PAS during the next general election and “divorcing” itself from Bersatu.

“Apparently, Umno is confident of winning the general election with Barisan partners and PAS.

“If the move is something that they believe can achieve success in the next general election, then it is the decision that they have to make.

“Objectively, in Malay majority seats, there is a good chance of winning the seat if there is only one contender from Umno or PAS. I think that is the strategy, ” he said.

He said seat divisions would also be much easier with PAS compared to negotiating with Bersatu.

He said there was also a likelihood of Umno asking PAS to leave Perikatan and focus on Muafakat Nasional.

“Thus, Muafakat will just be Umno, PAS and collaboration with other Barisan component parties.

“Bersatu will have to negotiate a new coalition with existing parties in Pakatan Harapan, ” he said.

But Prof Nik Ahmad noted that there were various stands taken by different divisions in Umno.

Terengganu, for instance, does not want continuous cooperation with PAS while many other divisions want Umno to strengthen their partnership with PAS, he highlighted.

He said Perlis, meanwhile, wanted Umno to work effectively with Bersatu.

“On the other hand, there are many divisions too that want Umno to sever its relationship with Bersatu.

“Umno’s future steps seem very convoluted, ” he concluded.