DAP and Umno grassroots members are far from convinced of the relationship between the two parties despite the success of their collaboration in the recent state polls and Johor by-elections.

They acknowledged that the two former archrivals did well in the recent elections but more needed to be done to win over the doubters.

Umno and DAP had been enemies since the country gained independence in 1957. Umno had accused DAP of being anti-Islam and anti-Malay while DAP had called the Malay party extremist and a party of kleptocrats over the corruption of ex-Umno president Najib Razak.

A hung parliament after the 2022 general election saw Pakatan Harapan, of which DAP is a component, going into coalition with Barisan Nasional to form a unity government.

Just a week ago, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made history by becoming the first Umno president to attend a DAP conference. Zahid was accompanied by Barisan Nasional secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir and Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

The Umno leaders received a warm welcome DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and secretary-general Anthony Loke.

Hundreds of DAP delegates in the hall erupted in loud cheers and applause at the announcement of Zahid’s arrival.

Positive outlook

Umno Selangor youth chief Imran Tamrin said the two parties are working together well in Selangor.

He admitted some Umno members are unhappy about the partnership but that the party president Zahid would soon explain the party’s partnership with Pakatan Harapan to 190 Umno divisions.

“We saw success in Selangor. Un Umno assemblyman was picked as an exco member in the state administration. It shows that we work well together and there is an understanding,” Imran said.

“In Johor, Umno and BN did our best to help Amanah candidates and in the end we won both seats. If there was no understanding I don’t think we would have won in Selangor or in Johor.

“However, we are not taking this easily. Our president has said he would soon speak to all 190 divisions to explain our decision to work with PH.

“That is the best platform to convince our members and put an end to any doubt,” said the former Sungai Panjang assemblyman.

Hulu Selangor DAP member S. Murali said the king had called for a unity government.

He added that DAP was ready to put the country first.

“We accepted the partnership after it was decreed by the Agong for political stability.  On the grassroots level, the cooperation is going well as proven in the state polls. Leaders from each party discussed and negotiated seat allocations.

“We helped each other, regardless of the outcome; we formed a unity state government,” he said.

PH-BN won in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan but lost many Malay seats to Perikatan Nasional.

Observers noted that many Malay voters had chosen Perikatan Nasional over Umno because to the court cases faced by its leaders such as Zahid.

Malay votes gave PN landslide wins in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Need to work harder

Another DAP member Saripah Bakar said the win in Johor must not be taken for granted.

The Hulu Selangor municipal council member said that after years of bitter emnity, many Umno members are still wary of DAP.

“DAP was the bogeyman. We were accused of many bad things and not by PAS or Bersatu but Umno.

“Many Umno members, especially the older generation, cannot accept our cooperation. The main concern is to persuade them that DAP was never anti-Islam or anti-Malay.

“To achieve that, Umno and PH must work hard to find common ground and understanding,” Saripah said.

A DAP man who did not want to be named said the party is pragmatic when it comes to partnerships.

“History will show that DAP has worked with almost every party. including PAS in 2008 and Bersatu in 2018.

“DAP is very practical and if we were chauvinistic, PAS and Bersatu would not have taken us on as partners,” he added.

A Puteri Umno wing member was optimistic about the pact.

She said Zahid would be able to convince members of the relationship now that he is free of graft charges.

“In these seven to eight months, the Madani government has worked well. We have not heard of any power struggle between party leaders, unlike the last PH government, when you were always hearing about Anwar taking over from then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I’m positive this government can last a full term. Now that Zahid is released from his court cases, Umno’s image is improving.

“But we need to work harder and convince fence-sitters that DAP, Umno and PKR can sit down and work together for the sake of the people,” she said. – September 21, 2023.