HOW can Umno and its allies, presumably PAS, constitute the “third force” in the leadership transition matter, something that has to be decided by the coalition partners in Pakatan Harapan.

If the PH presidential council forsakes its duty on the succession issue, then maybe, there is role for outside political forces.

Perhaps Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamid thinks that his party and its allies with a combined strength of 91 parliamentary seats might be a force to be reckoned with.

Zahid is right in saying that the drift from Umno to Bersatu halted but the earlier circumstances that allowed for this move might not be there.

But how Zahid arrived at 91 stretches my imagination.

Is there a need to talk about a third force when the opposition itself is divided, just not on the transition matter but on a host of other matters.

Even the proposed Malay unity government by a certain faction within Umno that excluded Amanah and DAP was disowned by its proponents before it could see the light of the day.

What is more important for Zahid to comment is not about a third force in the making but why there is so much division within the ranks of Umno in particular and the opposition in general.

With corruption scandal and possible prosecution hanging over the heads of some prominent Umno leaders, the empty talk of a third force might be just diversionary tactic to project an image as though things are well and good with Umno and for that matter, PAS.

Would it not be a much more worthwhile exercise for Zahid to elaborate on the serious divisions within Umno and why only six members of parliament threw their support behind the unity government ostensibly to deny support to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

If there are only six Umno elected representatives throwing their support behind Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to continue the full term, then this act itself tells much about the unity of Umno on a variety of national issues.

Umno and BN lost in the last general election due to the weight of corruption, mismanagement and scandals.

Given this, Umno has much soul searching to do before it could emerge as a new reformed political force let alone the vanguard of a third force.

If Umno cannot even project a solid front in the coming Tg Piai by-election, then what third force is Zahid talking about.

It is not that Umno has been truly reduced to ashes, it can still play a limited role to ensure the emergence of a more progressive political force.

With this in mind, Umno can play a role that enables a smooth transition process.

I am not asking Umno to take sides on the transition matter. – October 28, 2019.

* Ramasamy Palanisamy is Penang deputy chief minister II.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.