Don’t blame DAP for your electoral woes, Umno told

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Umno’s decline had been evident since 2018 when it lost control of Putrajaya.

(FMT) – A political analyst says DAP should not be blamed for Umno’s lacklustre performance in the recent Kemaman by-election, following remarks by a party leader regarding its ally in the unity government.

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Umno’s decline had been evident since 2018 when it lost control of Putrajaya.

He also cited the party’s challenges in securing public support in the 15th general election last year as well as the polls in six states in August.

Oh told FMT that after GE15, Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) had few viable options apart from Pakatan Harapan.

“If Umno works together with Perikatan Nasional (PN), it will repeat its fate from 2020 to 2022.

“With PH, Umno, at the very least, is treated fairly and not subject to oppression,” he said.

Yesterday, Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil said the Malays were rejecting the party due to a deviation from its core principles and its willingness to be “DAP’s lackey”.

Isham also said that some Umno leaders were acting “more DAP than the actual party itself”, excessively promoting DAP to the point of causing displeasure among grassroots members.

His remarks followed the results of last Saturday’s by-election, where PAS’s Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar won the Kemaman seat with a majority of 37,220 votes, defeating BN’s Raja Affandi Raja Noor.

Oh said Umno leaders should be taking proactive steps to rejuvenate the party so that it could regain the Malay support that had shifted to PN, particularly in favour of PAS.

“Perhaps a renewal of leadership, infused with professionalism, could pave the way forward,” he said.

Another political analyst, Anbumani Balan, cautioned Umno against becoming complacent about its position in the unity government.

“It’s crucial not to use this opportunity solely for political gain and mere self-indulgence that only resonates with the upper echelons,” he said.

“All Umno members, from the grassroots level to the broader Malay community, should be given due priority.”