With Zahid at the helm, expect more of the same from Umno

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 1 Jul 2018 7:00AM · 9 Comments

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a conservative at heart and was vehemently opposed to opening up the party to non-Malays despite its GE14 failure. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 1, 2018.

UMNO and reform will not share the same postcode with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi leading the party. 

Indeed, Penang Institute political analyst Dr Wong Chin Huat expects the opposition party to be combative and opportunistic.

He said Zahid’s victory at the party elections signal an era where Umno will be reluctant to change but will expect everything in Malaysia to change‎ to suit the party.

“The most important difference between Khairy (Jamaluddin) and Zahid is the willingness to lead Umno in opposition and prepare for GE15, instead of indulging in a political wet dream of Pakatan Harapan’s implosion,” said Wong, referring to a statement Zahid made in the run-up to the party polls.

Zahid predicted that the government of DAP, Bersatu, Amanah and PKR would implode and said Umno must be ready to seize the opportunity to regain the seat of power.

He was hammered online and by political pundits who said his talk of implosion betrayed his reluctance to lead Umno on a path of renewal‎.

“Under Zahid, Umno will be opportunistic and combative, but not reformist. As it hopes to bring down the Pakatan government at its soonest, it would find PAS a natural partner and may team up to jointly attack Pakatan over Islam and Malay rights.

“This would make it completely unacceptable for not only the non-Malays, but also Sabah and Sarawak and thus seal Umno’s fate in the opposition,” said Wong.

Zahid’s swing more to the right will find resonance with the party grassroots.

Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said: “Zahid represents a true Malay conservative with good religious education background and a doctorate.

“His strong stand against opening up Umno to other races reflects the party’s desire to remain conservative.”

Zahid overcame stiff competition from Khairy to win to become president yesterday. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s challenge faltered.

Awang Azman of Universiti Malaya’s Malay Studies Department said Zahid’s loyalty to previous leaders and the party was unrivalled among the candidates. 

“He is tested politician who had been detained under the Internal Security Act for supporting Anwar Ibrahim.

“And while many have criticised previous presidents Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak, Zahid has stood by them in the name of supporting the institution.

“His loyalty is unrivalled particularly when compared to Tengku Razaleigh who once left Umno to form Semangat 46.”

That unfettered loyalty is a political culture within Umno itself, he added.

Penang Institute’s Wong ‎said Umno and Zahid will have to contend with the  winner-takes-all political culture in Malaysia.

“Thanks to the winner-takes-all system built by Umno, Pakatan has a lot of advantages as incumbent to induce crossovers from the party,” said Wong, noting that Zahid’s win is actually good for PH.

Umno may see more lawmakers leaving the party and Barisan Nasional, he said. – July 1, 2018.

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Comments

  • Bunch of jokers

    Posted 7 years ago by Your Dad · Reply

  • Same old same old ...

    Posted 7 years ago by Jawa 3Suku · Reply

  • My biggest concerns is they are willing to create unrest in the country to regain power. The rakyat is not their main agenda but power is...hopefully we as malaysian are matured enough to go against their political aim that will sacrifice this country

    Posted 7 years ago by Faizul Rahman Fauzi · Reply

  • Please just re-visit the Australian song (by The Seekers "This land is your land, This land is my land,...This land was made for you and me (in 1957, by our British rulers who gave us one and all this precious independence)". SALUTE! Wouldn't you like to be part of this beautiful song, I ask you now..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • It's besides the point. Non Malays, Sabah and, Sarawakians will never vote for this UMNO. Only way to win is to join with PAS. THAT is bad for the country. Anwar has a lot to do on intellectual Islam

    Posted 7 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Different shit but same old smell

    Posted 7 years ago by Naresh Kottan · Reply

  • Umno led by a man who said he has audio recording of his conversation with Tun M, (but never released), who says he met the ex-BN parties from Sarawak (they say no), who says he was invited to meet Tun M (Khairuddin says no), and finally he says he met the Saudi prince who donated the RM2.6 Billion (the prince yet to appear)....a fantastic record for telling the truth

    Posted 7 years ago by Tan KL · Reply

  • But what happens if or when he is arrested for his part in the 1MDB scandal?

    Posted 7 years ago by Richard Chapbell · Reply

  • Umno got no future with this present set of leaders. This present set of leaders got no content. They only know how to use race n religion card to cause disharmony in this land

    Posted 7 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply