THE Umno general assembly which begins tomorrow is the best platform for its leadership to explain its decision to partner with Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan in the unity government, observers said.

They told The Malaysian Insight this was a “do or die” opportunity for leaders in the country’s oldest Malay party to inform members and to clear any misunderstandings about the cooperation as government parties prepare for six state polls expected after July.

Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan had previously said the 2023 Umno general assembly should be used as a “warm-up” for the upcoming six state elections.

He had suggested that spokesmen from each of the party’s wings, especially those coming from the six states that would be holding elections, make full use of the general assembly.

Ahmad, who is also Johor Umno deputy chairman, added the spokesmen should highlight the positives of the unity government in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang.

Party deputy president Mohamad Hasan will open the three wings – Youth, Wanita and Puteri meetings on Wednesday night.

The assembly for the main party will begin on Friday morning with the address by Party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ilham Centre executive director, Hisomuddin Bakar said what’s most important is to end the confusion surrounding party members about the cooperation in the unity government.

He said at the moment, Umno has no strong reason to tell its members about its decision to accept Anwar and DAP.

“Umno has to give a clear explanation once and for all about accepting Anwar and DAP. They need to satisfy their members, come up with a solid reason why they chose DAP and Anwar. They need to inform their ordinary members, grassroots leaders and supporters about this decision.”

“At the moment they do not have a clear answer but tomorrow is the opportunity for them to do so,” said Hisomuddin.

He said Umno needs rejuvenation to attract Malay voters to support the Malay party again after it lost badly to Perikatan Nasional parties such as PAS and Bersatu in the general election.

“They need to come up with a strategy to attract the youth because in our study, youth today have no idea about Umno.”

“They know Umno today as a party of the corrupt. They do not know that Umno in 2004 won 198 parliamentary seats and was the biggest Malay party in the country,” he added.

DAP and PKR will attend the Umno general assembly for the first time since the formation of the unity government last year.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said leaders of all parties in the government will attend the general assembly which will be held from tomorrow till June 10.

This includes Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who is PKR president and the party’s longtime nemesis turned ally, DAP and its top leaders.

Umno needs to set clear path

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic Dr Mazlan Ali said Umno has to set its path as its survival depends on its performance in the state elections.

Mazlan said Umno must set a target of winning more seats in the polls.

“This is a do or die mission for Umno. They need to create a clear direction for the party, they also need to strengthen their commitment with the unity government and to face the next general election.”

“They need to get young voters to vote for them but how they are going to do that is still unclear. Their future depends on these state polls. If they can win in Kedah that is more than enough but at least they should win more seats,” he said.

Mazlan, however, lauded the party’s move to invite Anwar and DAP to its general assembly.

“This is historic and if Anwar could speak, that would be even more remarkable.”

Umno, MCA and MIC are now part of the unity government. The BN component parties had unanimously agreed to back Anwar as prime minister after no single party was able to form a government after the last general election.

The gathering tomorrow should see 6,341 delegates attending, the largest turnout expected after a constitutional amendment last January allows the presence of division, information and wing chiefs at the assembly.

The assembly’s agenda will include economic issues, political and government stability, the six state polls, Islam, the Malays and Bumiputera.

A special assembly will be held to amend several clauses in the Umno constitution to facilitate the registration of new members, especially online. – June 6, 2023.