Will Malaysia’s Chini by-election boost Perikatan Nasional – or Umno?

Name: Muhyiddin Yassin appointed as Malaysia’s new PM sparking fears of return to ‘Umno politics’
Uploaded: 2020-07-03T11:52:03.000Z
Duration: 4 min 38 s
Description: Muhyiddin Yassin appointed as Malaysia’s new PM sparking fears of return to ‘Umno politics’

The ruling coalition is expected to win, but analysts say a strong showing by component party Umno could see internal divisions before the next general election

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional has been in power since an internal coup saw a change of government in February

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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional took power following an internal coup in February. Photo: DPA

Tashny Sukumaran

Published: 7:52pm, 3 Jul 2020Updated: 10:09pm, 3 Jul 2020

Malaysia’s ruling coalition Perikatan Nasional is at pains to present a united front as it contests its first by-election – and while component party Barisan Nasional is widely expected to win, analysts say its margin of victory could shape the country’s political landscape before the next national vote.

The Chini by-election was triggered by the death of its former assemblyman and is being contested by two independents and a candidate from Barisan Nasional, a racially segmented alliance led by the United Malays National Organisation (Umno). It ruled Malaysia for over 60 years before being dethroned in 2018 by the more progressive Pakatan Harapan bloc.

“It is very unlikely the two independents would be able to create an upset in this Umno stronghold, especially with support from hardline Islamic party PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PBBM).

However, if Umno is able to double its majority, then this may tempt Umno to abandon PBBM and work with PAS in the next general election,” said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani of Bower Group Asia, referring to Malaysia’s three Malay-based parties that have been at loggerheads at various points in history but have now joined forces.

In the immediate term, the likely win would strengthen Umno’s calls for an early general election, said political scientist and academic Azmil Tayeb.

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Muhyiddin Yassin appointed as Malaysia’s new PM sparking fears of return to ‘Umno politics’

“The win will only strengthen their hand and make the new ruling coalition led by PBBM look weak,” he said, adding that the opposition should have still contested to gauge sentiment on the ground.