PETALING JAYA – The “fragile” relationship between Umno and DAP cannot be accepted by most though both parties are part of the Unity Government.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said for nearly 60 years there have been anti-Dap sentiments spewed by Umno leaders, especially during the time of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said Dr Mahathir sparingly used the race card to consolidate his power within Umno at the cost of interracial relationships.
"It has only been a short while since Umno and DAP have been part of the Unity Government led by Pakatan Harapan," he said.
"Unfortunately, many in Umno are unhappy with the unity pact and the fact that DAP is part of the government.
"A number of these leaders are supportive of Bersatu and won't mind working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) despite what may have transpired in the past between them."
He said Umno leaders who are speaking out against the cooperation within the Unity Government should be heard by the party leaders.
He said such leaders should also know where the line is drawn, and if they refuse to tone down their criticism then the party should come down hard on them.
Awang Azman pointed out that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the first Umno leader to attend a DAP congress where he was given a rapturous welcome, showing DAP's ever willingness to embrace Umno
"Umno leaders should urge their grassroot members to hold dialogues with DAP members to foster a better understanding.
"Change in relationships must happen for the future of the nation."
Awang Azman also said any change in Umno must come from the bottom-up with guidance from the leaders.
On former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak returning to poltics after his jail term or if he gets a pardon, Awang Azman said Najib has no choice but to work with Pakatan Harapan.
He pointed out that it was Dr Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin who went after him in the past.
He said for Najib to work with Bersatu and Muhyiddin is a big “no” because there is no guarantee they can be trusted.
Support for Umno on decline since 2013
Meanwhile, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said support for Umno has been declining since 2013 but some party leaders find it easy to make DAP the scapegoat for their loss of support.
He said since joining the Unity Government, Umno leaders see DAP as the easiest party to blame and that is why some have been vocal in speaking out against DAP.
"Before this the leaders had used Zahid Hamidi as the scapegoat but now there is DAP. They worry because they see DAP as being dominant in the Unity Government," he said.
"Umno's support is declining as the party is seen as too weak to face DAP. That's why a number of them left to support Perikatan Nasional."
He said Umno leaders need to be pragmatic and remain with the Unity Government as Pakatan Harapan is the stronger party in the coalition.
Azmi said Umno going solo as proposed by some leaders will be making it weaker as they will have to face PN and PH during elections.
He added the best option is to continue working with the Unity Government, but they cannot make themselves look weak.
"A perception needs to be created to Umno members and leaders who criticise the party that together with PKR and Amamah they can face up to DAP.
"This perception needs to be built up via strategies but Umno alone cannot be made stronger and they need the potent combination of PKR and Amanah to show they are strong,” he added. – The Vibes, September 14, 2023
