Malaysia’s Umno caught between rock and hard place as identity crisis grips ahead of state polls

Performance in six state elections crucial for party’s political survival as it tries to regain the support of majority Malay-Muslims while maintaining a ‘progressive’ image
The contests may also set the tone for PM Anwar’s policies moving forward if the results lean heavily in favour of the Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc

Malaysia

Joseph Sipalan

Published: 5:00pm, 10 Jun 2023

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Malaysia’s former ruling party Umno faces a steep uphill battle as it seeks to rebuild its image as the champion of the majority Malay-Muslims while at the same time adjusting to the new reality of its minority role in the federal unity government ahead of six state elections that could determine the group’s continued relevance on the country’s political stage.

Analysts said the polls due in the next two months would be a measure of the popularity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, especially among the Malays who account for over 60 per cent of the Southeast Asian nation’s 32 million population.

The outcome, however, is unlikely to have a direct effect on Anwar’s government, but it may set the tone for its policies moving forward if the results lean heavily in favour of the Malay nationalist Perikatan Nasional opposition front.

Umno is also seen as a key cog to the performance of Anwar’s multiracial administration in the elections due to its strength as the sole significant Malay party that could take on the rivals Bersatu and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

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“Should there be those who play up sentiments, claiming that Umno’s political cooperation would erode the position of Islam, the Malays and the bumiputeras, I would like to stress that Umno are no political chameleons,” Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the party’s general assembly on Friday.

“We will continue to defend the four articles enshrined in the federal constitution,” he said, referring to provisions guaranteeing the rights and privileges of the Malays.

But that goal is easier said than done after Umno – which ruled Malaysia for decades – suffered a string of defeats, including at the 2018 national polls that saw its traditional support base erode sharply on the back of widespread anger over soaring living costs and allegations of rampant corruption under then premier Najib Razak.

A period of political upheaval in the following years and victories in two state polls appeared to have given the party a boost. Yet, that sentiment turned sour after Umno won just 26 of the 222 parliamentary seats in last November’s general election.

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Malay voters disillusioned with Umno powered a “green wave” – so-called to reflect PAS’ party colours – that gave Perikatan a near clean sweep of the northern states in Malaysia’s peninsula.

PAS also emerged as the single largest party in parliament with 49 seats.

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The split in votes, however, also meant that no party or coalition managed to secure enough seats to claim the right to form government.

The situation paved the way for Umno’s rescue from political oblivion. To break the deadlock, the king chose Anwar as prime minister on condition that he form a unity government that includes their sworn political rivals – and Umno had just the right numbers to seal the deal.

Ahmad Zahid said in his policy speech that this was a necessary “political adjustment” to make sure Umno gets a seat at the table. It was a profitable gambit: he was made a deputy prime minister and several senior Umno leaders were given key ministerial positions.

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Anwar also threw his weight behind Umno’s efforts to reset, making a historic return to the party’s headquarters to attend the launch of its general assembly on Friday, 25 years after he was sacked following an acrimonious spat with his former mentor and ex-Umno president Mahathir Mohamad.

Ahmad Zahid stressed that Umno needs to be “progressive” in finding its place in Anwar’s multiracial administration, but at the same time made it clear that the outfit must also do what it can to regain its position as the party of choice for the Malays.

“If we truly want to see Islam and the Malays at the forefront, our inclusion in government … will strengthen a Malay-Muslim agenda that is moderate and progressive,” he said.