Tread carefully with returning Noh Omar, Umno told
2 hours ago
Nicholas Chung
Analysts say the ex-Selangor Umno chief can be a loose cannon at times and embodies the warlord-style politics that Umno must move away from
Noh Omar was sacked from Umno in January 2023 and joined Bersatu the following year. He announced his departure in February, following a mass sacking of party leaders.
PETALING JAYA: Umno has been advised to tread carefully in welcoming back former Selangor chief Noh Omar, who left the party less than two years ago for Bersatu.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said Noh’s return may be motivated by a desire to contest under Umno’s banner in the next general election (GE16).
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said Noh’s return may be motivated by a desire to contest under Umno’s banner in the next general election (GE16).
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.
He questioned the Tanjong Karang MP’s stated reason of having been persuaded by Umno’s anti-DAP stance in Johor, calling it “foolish”.
“He comes from Selangor, where the partnership between Barisan Nasional-Umno and Pakatan Harapan-DAP is still on.
“And Johor Umno’s recent anti-DAP stand could easily be conceived as a pre-state election gimmick to secure hardline Malay nationalistic voters, without discounting the possibility of changes after the election,” he told FMT.
Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Umno could easily justify its ongoing partnership with PH as necessary for pragmatic purposes and political survival.
He questioned the Tanjong Karang MP’s stated reason of having been persuaded by Umno’s anti-DAP stance in Johor, calling it “foolish”.
“He comes from Selangor, where the partnership between Barisan Nasional-Umno and Pakatan Harapan-DAP is still on.
“And Johor Umno’s recent anti-DAP stand could easily be conceived as a pre-state election gimmick to secure hardline Malay nationalistic voters, without discounting the possibility of changes after the election,” he told FMT.
Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Umno could easily justify its ongoing partnership with PH as necessary for pragmatic purposes and political survival.
Syaza Shukri.
She also questioned Noh’s sincerity in championing Umno’s cause, saying he essentially left a sinking ship in Bersatu, having done the same after Umno’s worst ever electoral performance at the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022.
While he brings grassroots support and decades of political experience, Syaza said Umno must be wary of the warlord-style politics that Noh embodies, from which the party needs to move away.
“These warlords and traditional machinery may not be enough for Umno’s electoral success. We have moved to social media where national issues and narratives have become more important for voters.”
Fauzi warned that Noh may be a loose cannon of sorts, having previously made controversial remarks, such as that stealing was only wrong if one was caught.
He said Noh was also fiercely critical of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi post-GE15, for which he was not fielded, and had called for Zahid to step down.
Fauzi warned against Umno using Noh in its election plans, even if only for campaigning, saying it could backfire on the party.
“Umno should watch out. Should the unexpected come out from Noh’s mouth during election campaigning, it may well damage Umno’s chances at the polls in a multiracial state like Selangor.”
Noh was sacked from Umno in January 2023 following a violation of party discipline during GE15. In July 2024, he confirmed that he had joined Bersatu, and was appointed to its Supreme Council in early 2025.
He resigned from the Bersatu leadership position in February following the sacking of 17 party leaders, including Hamzah Zainudin, expressing disappointment with the party’s decision.
However, unlike other current and former party leaders aligned with Hamzah, Noh chose not to be a part of the former Bersatu deputy president’s Reset movement, launched one day after his sacking.
On June 7, Noh revealed he had quit Bersatu and rejoined Umno under a special initiative designed to welcome back former members.
Syaza said Noh’s return could be interpreted as acknowledgment that Zahid made the correct strategic call by keeping Umno in power and working with DAP.
She said she does not expect Noh to pressure Zahid into pulling the plug on Umno’s support for the unity government, especially with the prospect of a snap GE16 looming.
“Why risk uncertainties when Umno is comfortably in federal power now?” she said.
She also questioned Noh’s sincerity in championing Umno’s cause, saying he essentially left a sinking ship in Bersatu, having done the same after Umno’s worst ever electoral performance at the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022.
While he brings grassroots support and decades of political experience, Syaza said Umno must be wary of the warlord-style politics that Noh embodies, from which the party needs to move away.
“These warlords and traditional machinery may not be enough for Umno’s electoral success. We have moved to social media where national issues and narratives have become more important for voters.”
Fauzi warned that Noh may be a loose cannon of sorts, having previously made controversial remarks, such as that stealing was only wrong if one was caught.
He said Noh was also fiercely critical of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi post-GE15, for which he was not fielded, and had called for Zahid to step down.
Fauzi warned against Umno using Noh in its election plans, even if only for campaigning, saying it could backfire on the party.
“Umno should watch out. Should the unexpected come out from Noh’s mouth during election campaigning, it may well damage Umno’s chances at the polls in a multiracial state like Selangor.”
Noh was sacked from Umno in January 2023 following a violation of party discipline during GE15. In July 2024, he confirmed that he had joined Bersatu, and was appointed to its Supreme Council in early 2025.
He resigned from the Bersatu leadership position in February following the sacking of 17 party leaders, including Hamzah Zainudin, expressing disappointment with the party’s decision.
However, unlike other current and former party leaders aligned with Hamzah, Noh chose not to be a part of the former Bersatu deputy president’s Reset movement, launched one day after his sacking.
On June 7, Noh revealed he had quit Bersatu and rejoined Umno under a special initiative designed to welcome back former members.
Syaza said Noh’s return could be interpreted as acknowledgment that Zahid made the correct strategic call by keeping Umno in power and working with DAP.
She said she does not expect Noh to pressure Zahid into pulling the plug on Umno’s support for the unity government, especially with the prospect of a snap GE16 looming.
“Why risk uncertainties when Umno is comfortably in federal power now?” she said.
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