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PETALING JAYA: You may not be seeing history repeating itself 34 years after Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah led an outside party faction following his feud with party chairman Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
In 1987, Malaysia was experiencing an economic recession in which unemployment reached 7.5%. Today, the country is struggling again with a contracting economy and high unemployment amid a health crisis, and it appears that Umno has returned to square one, with a historical record of backstabbing.
Shortly after Perikatan Nasional took over Putrajaya with the help of Barisan Nasional in February 2020, some Umno leaders began to complain that the PPBM-led coalition was sidelining their ruling party in the country.
This caused a rift in Umno. Several MPs with government positions continued to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, but others despised the prime minister, whose party is largely made up of defectors from Umno.
Some analysts have predicted that more MPs are expected to jump from Umno to the PPBM following the statement by party chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that Umno would cut ties with Perikatan Nasional if elections are not called soon. Members of the Umno with ministerial positions have been ordered to be ready to resign when directed.
Socio-political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi said that Umno’s 1987 split clearly showed that the president won because he was in control of the party machinery and hierarchy.
“Now it is the same. The president has the advantage. Control the party structure and machinery. He still signs the nomination letters of those who compete in the elections. Even if there are party elections, the president is likely to win because of the powers he has. “
However, Awang Azman also said that Zahid was facing increasing challenge from Umno leaders in the “cabinet group”, the ministers who back Muhyiddin to maintain their positions. Some are known to feel that it is Zahid who should resign as he faces criminal charges of breach of trust, corruption and money laundering in court.
“As for the cabinet group, their strength is government assistance,” said Awang Azman. “But they would still need the support of the president of Umno to participate in the elections.”
They will have to decide what to do when Umno decides to leave the government, probably in August.
Some want partisan elections called soon in the hope that Zahid can be removed and that a more willing man is in charge so they don’t have to resign their posts. Some may even consider switching parties if they are forced to resign as ministers.
The situation is likely to be different if the presidential elections are held after the general elections, since those who lose in the party’s elections are unlikely to abandon the party.
Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it was clear that Umno was already divided into factions and the party was in crisis.
He noted that Zahid had said that MPs without allegiance to Umno should leave the party to allow it to organize for general elections.
Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia said the crisis was still manageable, adding that he believed ministers would step down at the appropriate time, such as when Parliament was dissolved.
However, it is not known if the general elections will take place this year. Muhyiddin has said that it will take place when the Covid-19 situation improves.
Three days ago, former Prime Minister Najib Razak said holding the Umno elections early could divide and further weaken the party. Losers could be drawn to rival parties, he added.
The party’s early election idea was discussed by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who said the elections, to be held this year, must be sped up so that internal party conflicts can be resolved before the general election. .
