THERE was a time when Umno politicians would use DAP as the bogeyman to scare Malays and secure their votes. It was not that the Chinese-dominated DAP was a threat to the Malays. It was mere political strategy on the part of Umno. This has caused some gullible Malay voters, especially in rural areas, to be uncomfortable with Umno’s alliance with DAP today.

With Umno now befriending and working together with DAP in the unity government, PAS, the party that once allied with DAP, has now taken over the role of Umno to rail against DAP.

To many Malaysians, though, this derisive label on DAP is unjustified.

It’s preposterous to claim that DAP would usurp the majority race in the country when it comes to politics. DAP is a multi-racial party that mainly contests in urban constituencies. On its own, it is not be able to command the majority seats in parliament. 

Old working relationships

PAS worked with DAP in the 1999 and 2008 general elections against Barisan Nasional. It was then considered kosher for PAS to work with DAP. PAS leaders were then aggressively campaigning for PAS members to vote for DAP. Such a strategy won PAS many seats.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad, after leaving Umno and setting up Bersatu, worked with DAP in the 2018 general election to defeat Barisan Nasional. It was with DAP support that helped him into the prime minister’s office for a second time.

Bersatu was formed after Muhyiddin Yassin was dropped from the cabinet by former prime minister Najib Razak in 2015. Muhyiddin was later sacked from Umno. Bersatu teamed up with DAP, PKR, and Amanah to fight the 2018 general election. DAP was allies with Bersatu until the latter left the coalition in early 2020 and started to demonise the former.

It’s obvious that PAS and Bersatu have a history of working with DAP  to realise their political goals. And now, Umno has decided to work with DAP.

Erosion of support

Truth be told, the erosion of support for Umno as a Malay party began in the few years leading to the 14th general election. Umno lost badly in the 14th and 15th general elections under the Barisan Nasional banner and were then rivals with Pakatan Harapan, comprising DAP, PKR, and Amanah. The voters’ perception then was that Umno was riddled with “corrupt” leaders. The erosion of support for Umno did not start when the party decided to work with DAP as claimed by some Umno supporters.

Umno may now be a shadow of its former self, but it’s never too late for the party to fix itself while being part of the unity government. The party should continue working to defend the ordinary Malays, not just the privileged among them. Some crucial and unpopular issues concerning their leaders have to be resolved, and the party has to carry out reforms first instead of blaming DAP as a scapegoat for the party’s disastrous outings in the past two general elections and the recent Kemaman by-election.

Umno should earnestly approach the disenchanted rural Malay voters that it had earlier brainwashed into thinking that DAP is a threat to them. Explain to them why politically there is a need for Umno to join forces with DAP. Tell them that DAP is not there to usurp Malay rights or to take over the country but to together contribute and work towards a multi-racial and balanced political formula in the country’s political landscape.

Umno on its own

On its own, Umno will not win back its supporters. It failed to do so in the last two general elections. It will also be unwise for it to work with Bersatu and PAS as Umno may not be able to contest in the many seats already held by the two parties.

In fact, the alliance with DAP has benefited Umno today. With only 26 members of parliament, they could still be with the government of the day. DAP holds very few cabinet positions compared to Umno, even though it had won 40 seats, the most among the coalition partners, at the last general election. DAP has only four representatives in the cabinet of 28 ministers. In fact, DAP has given face to Umno without complaint. 

Umno still controls four states: Johor, Malacca, Pahang, and Perak. Umno’s ally, PKR controls two states – Negri Sembilan and Selangor. Umno’s other ally, DAP controls one state – Penang.

Umno recently won two state seats in the Pelangai and Tioman by-elections against PAS. It only lost in the recent Kemaman by-electio against PAS. Umno’s ally, Amanah, with the help of the Malay party, won two seats in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections against PAS. This shows that Umno is still a relevant Malay party that can work harmoniously with DAP in a multi-racial political setting.

All is not lost for Umno. The party can still work with DAP and consolidate with the other parties in the unity government on the way to the next general election. Contrary to what a few detractors may say, the party will not be wiped out just because it is working with DAP. – December 12, 2023.

* Moaz Nair reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.