Umno’s fault lines more apparent following its move against Muhyiddin, academics say

By admin-s On Aug 6, 2021

“One quarter support the president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and the other three quarters, we’re not not sure where they stand (yet), whether with the government or if they are with the party”

(MMO) – Umno’s attempt to force out Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has exposed the party’s frailties more than its strengths, academics have said.

According to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Prof Azmi Hassan, this was patent when the party could only get 11 of its MPs to publicly withdraw support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) despite its official decision to reject the coalition.

However, Azmi said this could change before Muhyiddin’s proposed confidence vote in September, and that the MPs might still shift positions based on their constituents’ views.

“But I doubt the MPs will listen to their constituents. They will either listen to the party or they have their own agenda in this case,” he said.

Azmi added that Zahid’s inability to present the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with a credible alternative to Muhyiddin also reflected poorly on the party’s ambition to regain power.

While he believed recent events meant Muhyiddin’s claim to still possess majority support was disputable, Azmi said Umno was in part responsible for the current impasse.

“When Zahid said he met the King, the opportunity should have been used to submit to the King the Opposition’s choice of a PM-designate to replace Muhyiddin.

“But, alas, it did not happen. (It was) a lost opportunity for Umno to take control. If Zahid can put forward a name I don’t think the split as of now would occur,” Azmi said.

Azmi said the turmoil within Umno could have further ramifications in the next general election as it appeared that the party could no longer control all of its MPs.