Malaysia

‘Uphill battle for Umno, DAP leaders convincing grassroots to accept unity govt’

Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says this may backfire on former’s top guns in party election

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 06 Dec 2022 9:00AM

‘Uphill battle for Umno, DAP leaders convincing grassroots to accept unity govt’
Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says that failure to convince the Umno grassroots of the benefits of forging a relationship with its former enemies would spell trouble, especially for its leaders, as the party will be holding its internal party election sometime next year. – The Vibes file pic, December 6, 2022

by Ikhwan Zulkaflee

JOHOR BARU – Umno and DAP leaders have a lot of work to do convincing their grassroots as the two political parties, with a long tradition of going against one another, are now part of the unity government, said retired politician Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

The former foreign minister said while the decision to join hands had been mainly received well by the party leaders, it remains to be seen whether ordinary Umno and DAP members can accept both parties working in tandem in the government due to an arduous, stormy history between them.

Syed Hamid said that failure to convince the party grassroots of the benefits of forging a relationship with its former enemies would spell trouble, especially for Umno leaders, as the party will be holding its internal party election sometime next year.

The former Umno Supreme Council member said those that supported the move for Umno to be part of the unity government might face the wrath of the party grassroots during the party election.

“But are there any other choices for Umno, which is no longer a mainstay party in the country, compared to others? 

“Perhaps the party leadership felt that the best move for the party’s survival is to form a unity government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) as it needs power and positions to restore the ailing party, compared to forming ties with Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says while the decision between Umno and DAP to join hands had been mainly received well by the party leaders, it remains to be seen whether Umno and DAP ordinary members can accept both parties working in tandem in the government due to an arduous, stormy history between them. – Bernama pic, December 6, 2022
Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says while the decision between Umno and DAP to join hands had been mainly received well by the party leaders, it remains to be seen whether Umno and DAP ordinary members can accept both parties working in tandem in the government due to an arduous, stormy history between them. – Bernama pic, December 6, 2022

“There are a lot of similarities between Umno and PN’s component parties PAS and Bersatu, and judging by the result of the 15th general election (GE15), Umno might cease to exist if it doesn’t make the right choice going forward,” said Syed Hamid when contacted by The Vibes yesterday.

Commenting on the proposed establishment of a caucus between 24 Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH MPs, the former Kota Tinggi MP said that the move is expected with the two coalitions having established working relationships in Perak, Pahang, and at the federal level.

“Its common knowledge that Umno and DAP hated each other before, as Umno had always said that DAP is anti-Islam and racist.

“But we see that after the GE15 result, DAP (and PH) extended an olive branch and supported BN to form the state governments in Perak and then in Pahang. And the trend, as we see now, continues in Johor.”

He said that Umno and DAP appeared to have buried the hatchet and were working together to find common ground.

“On the positive aspect, if this collaboration can continue, it would create a better and more harmonious political landscape in Malaysia.”

Political analyst Prof Azmi Hassan says that the caucus proposed in Johor should not be limited to MPs from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. – Bernama pic, December 6, 2022
Political analyst Prof Azmi Hassan says that the caucus proposed in Johor should not be limited to MPs from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. – Bernama pic, December 6, 2022

Caucus: what’s beyond BN, Pakatan?

Meanwhile, political analyst Prof Azmi Hassan said that the caucus proposed in Johor should not be limited to MPs from BN and PH.

“On paper, this is a good move, but what about the acceptance of the Johor state government itself?

“Perhaps there are plans to include state representatives from both coalitions, as the mooted plans are about how to elevate the state itself,” the senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research said.

On Sunday, Johor opposition chief Liew Chin Tong mooted an establishment of a caucus comprising 24 MPs from BN and PH.

This, said the Iskandar Puteri MP, is to help the Johor government go through briefings and the sharing of information so that all the MPs are given detailed reports on the needs and demands of the state government to the federal government.

Liew, who is also the Perling assemblyman, made the suggestion in his 2023 Johor budget debate speech at the Johor assembly in Iskandar Puteri.

The idea was well received by Johor BN chief, Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, who is also Simpang Renggam MP, who said that the discussion on the matter would be held after the swearing-in of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat on December 19. – The Vibes, December 6, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 1w

DAP’s Kuala Kubu Bharu state rep Lee Kee Hiong dies

Malaysia / 3w

Threatening notes left outside Nga Kor Ming's parents' house

Malaysia / 3w

Sarawak needs Putrajaya’s help with flood mitigation funds, says SUPP leader

Malaysia / 3w

Tiong ‘teaches’ Akmal some Hokkien amidst bak kut teh controversy

Malaysia / 1mth

Hard to execute reforms without strong political base, says former PKR MP

Malaysia / 1mth

I won’t entertain attempts to undermine political stability, says Agong

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

DOSM opens 300 extra counters as Padu registration deadline approaches

Malaysia

Forest fires at Sarawak-Brunei border the size of 220 football fields

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Anwar receives courtesy call from Indian External Affairs Minister

Malaysia

Blanket of red as tens of thousands of jellyfish washed ashore at KK beach

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Nuzul Al-Quran: PM calls on Muslims to analyse, interpret the Quran

Malaysia

Unfair for government to deny rakyat subsidies based on Padu registration, says SUPP youth

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

King calls on all parties to stop fuelling anger over socks issue

By The Vibes Team