THE Umno special briefing on Saturday was a stage for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to show his vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob who runs the party, political observers said.

They told The Malaysian Insight it was evident that Zahid was trying to tell Ismail that, even though he may be prime minister, the majority of Umno members are backing Zahid, especially his demand to call for early polls.

However, in describing the event as a last resort, analysts did say that Ismail will not bow easily to the pressure to the Bagan Datuk MP’s demands to dissolve parliament immediately.

Zahid had told the gathering that the next general election should be held immediately because the people want a legitimate government not held together through political schemes.

The Umno president said there is a need to return the mandate to the people.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) political analyst Mazlan Ali said it was an extraordinary meeting because Umno leaders facing corruption charges are afraid they will suffer the same fate as jailed former prime minister Najib Razak, who started a 12-year prison sentence last week.

Mazlan said Zahid was trying to tell Ismail that he has to toe the party line, despite the latter’s position as prime minister.

“With Najib in prison, the rest are also worried that they might end up like him, so they need to act fast and call for an election,” Mazlan said.

“They see Ismail as someone who will not stand up for them, that is why Zahid wants to show Ismail who has the support from Umno leaders and grassroots.”

However, the academic believed Ismail would remain steadfast and has indirectly stated that an election will be held soon after Budget 2023.

“He will not give in to pressure and will fight back. Not all Umno leaders attended the meeting, so he still has the support from them,” he said.

“Umno on the other hand cannot remove Ismail if he refuses to dissolve parliament. It will backfire on the party.”

Ilham Centre executive director, Hisommudin Bakar said the pressure on Ismail went on for five straight days with two emergency meetings, but he handled it well.

“The meeting was to show Ismail that Zahid still has the influence.”

Hisommudin questioned Umno’s demand to hold snap polls, given that the party had previously agreed to let its five most senior leaders decide.

“Why is Umno using this platform to pressure Ismail? They have agreed that matters pertaining to the election will be dealt with by the leadership: the president, deputy president and three vice presidents.”

Hisommudin was referring to Zahid, deputy president Mohamad Hasan and the two remaining vice presidents Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Mahdzir Khalid.

Early in August, Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman Noh Omar said Ismail will be aided by Umno’s leaders to make the right choice for an election date.

He said was less important than ensuring victory – at federal and state level.

“Some want it sooner, some want it later. We pray that God gives strength to the prime minister to find the appropriate time to dissolve parliament.”

Ismail now Umno’s punch bag

However, for International Islamic University of Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, Ismail’s position could be in danger if he did indeed refuse to toe the party line.

“Umno, at least the factions aligned with Zahid, wants an early election presumably for a stable government, but in reality (the event) was to strengthen Zahid’s position.

“If Ismail’s decision to bring forward the budget is meant as a sign for the dissolution of parliament, then the gathering on Saturday was a reinforcement of those segments in Umno demanding an early election.”

“It is interesting to see whether (sacking Ismail) happens and how other parties react to it. Umno has to also consider the effect of such action as it may divide the party further.”

Meanwhile, Tunku Mohar said Zahid was trying to create the perception that Najib’s imprisonment was political persecution.

“It may play up the emotion of Umno members, but it may not convince the general populace.

“Yet, if Umno can control the next government, there will be pressure to provide Najib with a royal pardon. This may also depend on the fate of other court cases he faces.

Tunku Mohar added those in attendance could have been brainwashed that Ismail didn’t help to get Najib acquitted.

“This has been Umno’s mentality. Ismail has become a convenient punch bag,” he said referring to Ismail being booed at the briefing.

On the other hand, Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affair said the briefing was to affirm the party’s continued unwavering support for Najib.

Meanwhile, Oh did not see Ismail in a dangerous position if he resisted pressure to call a snap election.

“A pardon (for Najib) is highly likely due to the pressure created at the Umno meeting on Saturday.

“As for Ismail, even without the Umno mainstream faction’s support, he still has parliamentary support from both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional to carry on in his role as prime minister.

“Yet, it would appear that Umno would like to nominate someone else for prime minister after the election, which is probably why Ismail is dragging the election for as long as possible,” Tunku Mohar added. – August 29, 2022.