UMNO’S annual general assembly this weekend could give the clearest indication yet of the party’s thinking on its future political alliances, an analyst says.
Nusantara Academy senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said delegates were likely to use PAU 2026 to debate whether Umno should continue its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) or move closer to Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He explained the discussion was unlikely to be confined to the upcoming Melaka state election, but would also touch on the party’s longer-term strategy for the 16th general election (GE16).
“Even though the MKT has given the state the power to decide on cooperation, in reality the discussion is more likely to be about cooperation with PN rather than Pakatan,” he told The Vibes.
Azmi expects the debate to eventually result in a resolution that could give Umno’s supreme council (MKT) a clearer mandate on the party’s political direction.
“I think the resolution that comes out of PAU will lean towards PN rather than PH. That will be the main thrust of the debate,” he added.
His assessment comes as Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed that the party’s political direction would be among the issues raised at PAU 2026.
Asyraf Wajdi said 157 motions had been submitted by Umno divisions nationwide, including motions concerning the party’s role in the Unity Government and the direction of the government going forward.
“We are open to whatever will be debated and decided at the general assembly,” he said at a special press conference ahead of PAU 2026 at the Umno Auditorium recently.
“Among the motions raised is the question of Umno’s direction in the context of the Unity Government and the government going forward.”
He also said the party leadership would not interfere with delegates’ right to raise issues concerning Umno’s future, including sentiments currently gaining traction within the party.
There was no reason, he said, for the party headquarters to dictate what delegates could or could not debate.
Meanwhile, Azmi further said this would give delegates room to openly debate Umno’s future alliances and, ultimately, shape a resolution that the MKT could use in determining the party’s next move.
“The resolution will be the strength of the assembly, including giving the MKT a clear mandate,” he said.
“It will provide clarity on the final decision for cooperation with PN rather than PH.”
The debate at PAU 2026 could therefore become an important test of the sentiment within Umno as the party weighs its position in the Unity Government against its longer-term preparations for GE16. – September 8, 2026
