UMNO grassroots members are likely to raise issues related to the party’s survival and leadership during division meetings, which are taking place this weekend, said political analysts.

Both issues are spilling out in the open could as the debate on the matters so far had only reached the top level of the leadership, they said.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said there are disagreements at the Umno leadership level, which is divided into two groups – one which is pro-Perikatan Nasional and another calling for a new coalition.

“There are two groups. Each will try to influence their respective divisions and to see where they are headed.

“What is happening now is just between leaders at certain level and not towards the grassroots.

“When it comes to party’s direction, these two ‘ideologies’ will affect the division, which is the most ideal and realistic for Umno to move forward to face GE15,” said Hisommudin.

“So between Friday and Sunday, this is the time for the grassroots to debate the issue that has been moving around at the Umno elite level.”

There are 191 divisions.

Each leader is also expected to present his opinion to the delegates at the divisional level, he said.

“It seems that what Umno divisional leaders are trying to highlight is more towards Umno’s direction in the PN government, especially the attitude towards Bersatu.

“That is the main question among Umno members at the divisional level. That is their main focus.

“This involves Umno’s political survival… life and death, how they want to face the challenges in GE15.”

Hisommudin said Umno has not settled on the matter and this meeting is an opportunity.

“So far, no decision has been made at the party level. The president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) is silent, only the warlords are quarrelling.

“This is an opportunity for the division members to debate and determine Umno’s future.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer Mazlan Ali said the delegates’ main focus is also on the party’s relationship with PN.

“So, they have to decide which coalition to sit in. Umno and Bersatu have many problems. Umno sees Bersatu as wanting to control the situation, Umno thinks it is the ‘big brother’. This will be the focus of the meeting.

“The grassroots will definitely focus on strengthening the party.”

Universiti Malaya lecturer Awang Azman Awang Pawi said through the meeting, the grassroots are expected to demand party cleansing.

Especially in the divisions where their elected representatives defected to Bersatu.

“Delegates are expected to discuss how to strengthen the party and clean up the party.

“What is their stand on their constituency where the elected representatives have joined Bersatu from Umno? What is their decision on the seat, whether to leave or to defend the seat?

“They need to decide about the seat. They must be firm. This is not a view from the top down, this is a view from the bottom up.”

Delegates are also looking for a resolution to ensure national political stability, he said. – January 2, 2021.