Focus Malaysia:
Is UMNO ready to quit the unity government?
By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy
UMNO which is a component of the Madani government is not happy that former prime minister (PM) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who was its former president was not given a full pardon.
Instead, the Pardons Board gave a partial reduction of the sentence that was meted out by the judiciary earlier.
The present UMNO president and Deputy PM Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is under tremendous pressure from Najib’s supporters to seek full pardon for the former Pekan MP.
Chances are that there is a possibility that Najib might be a given a full pardon soon. UMNO members and supporters of Najib are unhappy that Zahid is not applying the full pressure on the unity government and particularly on Anwar for Najib’s release.
Some quarters within UMNO are talking about withdrawing from supporting the government. If UMNO withdraws its support, chances are that the government might collapse with the possibility of Perikatan Nasional (PN) forming the new government.
The question is whether the present leader Zahid has the courage to quit the government. Some sections within UMNO think that he has not done enough for the full pardon of Najib.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) and Datuk Seri Najib Razak
Without Najib, Zahid would not have risen up the ranks of UMNO. As an old friend of Anwar during the latter’s days in UMNO, the question is whether Zahid is loyal to Najib or Anwar.
UMNO quitting unity gov’t?
Zahid cannot cut himself from his former mentor Najib given the ground support for the latter. However, in facing political reality, Zahid seems quite beholden to Anwar, the man with power and influence.
How can Zahid forget Anwar for expediting through the office of the attorney-general the grant of discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) on the 47 corruption charges?
UMNO might have come in to be part of the Madani government but it was the prerogative of Anwar to appoint him as the DPM and other UMNO leaders as ministers.
Even without the backing of the Malay voters, UMNO has received a number of plum ministerial posts.
UMNO members might not be happy with Anwar or Zahid for not going for full pardon of Najib but I am not sure if the party is ready to quit the government. Its leaders do realise that outside the unity government, the party might be smothered by the PN political forces.
There is a realisation among some sections within UMNO that even if Najib is given a full pardon, there is nothing much he could do to re-invent UMNO. UMNO’s weakness is not related to the change or replacement of personalities but much more structural.
In other words, the party has been ruined by its involvement of its leaders in corruption, financial scandals and others over the years. Whether Najib is pardoned or not, the fact that UMNO can never regain Malay support in the future is clearly etched in the minds of the Malays in the country.
UMNO’s place in the Malay society has come to be filled by opposition parties such as PAS and Bersatu. UMNO is just like the politically vanquished Congress Party of India.
Both parties played a crucial and pivotal role in the independence of their respective countries but over the years failed to take up new challenges that needed new ideas and talents.
I really doubt that UMNO will quit the government of the day if Najib is not given a full pardon. – Feb 7, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) interim council.
Without Najib, Zahid would not have risen up the ranks of UMNO. As an old friend of Anwar during the latter’s days in UMNO, the question is whether Zahid is loyal to Najib or Anwar.
UMNO quitting unity gov’t?
Zahid cannot cut himself from his former mentor Najib given the ground support for the latter. However, in facing political reality, Zahid seems quite beholden to Anwar, the man with power and influence.
How can Zahid forget Anwar for expediting through the office of the attorney-general the grant of discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) on the 47 corruption charges?
UMNO might have come in to be part of the Madani government but it was the prerogative of Anwar to appoint him as the DPM and other UMNO leaders as ministers.
Even without the backing of the Malay voters, UMNO has received a number of plum ministerial posts.
UMNO members might not be happy with Anwar or Zahid for not going for full pardon of Najib but I am not sure if the party is ready to quit the government. Its leaders do realise that outside the unity government, the party might be smothered by the PN political forces.
There is a realisation among some sections within UMNO that even if Najib is given a full pardon, there is nothing much he could do to re-invent UMNO. UMNO’s weakness is not related to the change or replacement of personalities but much more structural.
In other words, the party has been ruined by its involvement of its leaders in corruption, financial scandals and others over the years. Whether Najib is pardoned or not, the fact that UMNO can never regain Malay support in the future is clearly etched in the minds of the Malays in the country.
UMNO’s place in the Malay society has come to be filled by opposition parties such as PAS and Bersatu. UMNO is just like the politically vanquished Congress Party of India.
Both parties played a crucial and pivotal role in the independence of their respective countries but over the years failed to take up new challenges that needed new ideas and talents.
I really doubt that UMNO will quit the government of the day if Najib is not given a full pardon. – Feb 7, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) interim council.
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