UMNO appears to be grappling with its position within the unity government, torn between its role as a ‘junior’ partner and its ambitions to claim a more dominant position.
UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s recent metaphor comparing the coalition’s dynamics to a poker game highlights the party’s internal struggle to assert itself alongside its partners, particularly DAP and PKR.
Jazlan, who is also the Senate Deputy President, used the analogy of poker to drive home the point that UMNO, DAP, and GPS are the “real players” in Malaysian politics, describing them as the ones who know how to bluff, raise, and take risks.
“In this political poker game, only those with real skill, strength, and experience deserve and can survive at the main table,” said Jazlan, emphasising UMNO’s experience in politics.
However, the experience in local politics and Jazlan’s poker game did not prevent the party from being defeated, not once, but twice by the Pakatan Harapan (PH).
In the meantime, he is being asked by PH supporters to be too arrogant.
“No need to feel arrogant with two consecutive big wins. Learn to be humble by taking lessons from past mistakes. ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’. Learn to appreciate the contributions of your unity partners in both of these significant victories,” an X user said.
Tidak perlu rasa angkuh dgn 2 kemenangan besaq berturut2. Belajaqlah bertawadhuk dgn mengambil Pengajaran dari kesilapan silam. “A bird currently in your hand is worth two in the bush”. Belajaq hargai smbgn rakan2 sePERPADUAN dlm kedua2 kemenangan besaq tersebut. pic.twitter.com/CgAtsc4x1q
— Saiful Izham Ramli (@saifulramli) October 3, 2024
For the Shah Alam PKR deputy chief Mohd Najwan Halimi, Jazlan’s use of gambling terms such as “poker” and “slot machines” to describe political dynamics implies that only those familiar with gambling would understand such analogies.
For a Muslim, this would be a bad thing, that is to be involved in gambling, betting or slot machines. Though Jazlan was referring to analogies, the PKR man is teasing him on the ‘illegality’ or ‘haram’ aspect of these gambling terms.
Responding to Jazlan’s statement, Najwan however, emphasised the need for UMNO and PH to focus on strengthening their cooperation.
“I don’t have the ability to discuss poker or slot machines because I’ve never gambled,” he said. He stressed that the priority for both PH and BN leadership should be finding common ground to solidify their partnership.
Nevertheless, Jazlan’s comments reflect UMNO’s frustrations with its junior status within the coalition government.
Despite having just one seat less than PKR in Parliament, UMNO remains a crucial player in the political landscape, especially in terms of its influence among rural Malays and that is what he meant.
Yet, Jazlan’s remarks also hint at tension with Amanah and PKR, whom he said are less suited for key decision-making positions, likening them to players sitting at a slot machine, relying on luck rather than skill or strategy.
Jazlan is also an example of UMNO’s internal contradictions which are now exposed at a critical time for the unity government, as the government faces pressure to address seat distribution and manage internal tensions before the next general election.
Jazlan’s critique of PH parties suggests that UMNO is unwilling to settle for a passive role. He stressed the need for PH to compromise on issues like seat distribution, warning that failure to do so could lead to a political “recurring nightmare” during 16th General Election. – Oct 5, 2024
