Stuck in passenger seat, Umno in danger of wipeout at next polls
Observers see the party that once ruled Malaysia for more than six decades in further decline.
(MalaysiaNow) – A recent campaign launched by PKR to ensure that its president Anwar Ibrahim remains prime minister after the 16th general election has ruffled feathers in Umno, with questions raised about the future of the Malay party that was once the political launch pad for all prime ministers.
Observers and former party leaders believe that PKR’s bid to dominate the government does not bode well for Umno.
Umno, considered the “big brother” during its six-decade run in power, has been seen as a mere “passenger” under the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government since ceding its 26 seats to the coalition to form the government in the last general election.
Former Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) executive secretary Azizi Safar said PKR’s move was not surprising as the party was formed with the main objective of “sinking” Umno.
“This is a historical fact,” Azizi, who is still an Umno member, told MalaysiaNow.
“If PKR wants to be the main political party in the country, there is no room for Umno to rise again as a major political force if it is still a passenger on the ‘PH ship’,” he added, referring to the so-called unity government – the result of a political cooperation forged after the 15th general election, when BN agreed to support Anwar as prime minister following a hung parliament.
