DATUK Seri Zahid, before you take shots at the “Guru,” challenge the unity government or fling the doors wide open to PAS, don’t be so quick to forget your own political history.
After GE14 (14th General Election), the people rejected Barisan Nasional (BN). But UMNO clawed its way back to Putrajaya without a fresh mandate through the Sheraton Move in 2020.
Led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu teamed up with Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s faction, UMNO-BN and PAS to bring down the people-mandated Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
UMNO then backed the Bersatu president as the eighth premier and took up positions in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
But when Muhyiddin no longer served UMNO’s political interests, you and a chunk of UMNO lawmakers pulled your support. Muhyiddin lost his majority and stepped down in August 2021.
Take a step back to reminisce
After toppling the ally who brought UMNO back to Putrajaya, UMNO seized the Prime Minister’s throne through PM9 Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Then UMNO pushed for GE15. The result? BN won just 30 seats – its worst performance in history – while UMNO itself scraped by with only 26. PH won 82 seats, including 40 from DAP. No coalition got a majority with Parliament hung in limbo.
At that point, reports emerged that 10 BN MPs had signed statutory declarations (SDs) backing Muhyiddin as PM. But after the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong proposed forming a unity government, PN rejected participation,
But PH welcomed you and UMNO despite decades of enmity. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook himself met Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and publicly apologised for DAP’s past statements against GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and Sarawak.
That effort helped mend ties and pave the way for the unity government. Anwar and PH then threw you a political lifeline. Even with UMNO holding just 26 seats, you were appointed Deputy Prime Minister and the Rural and Regional Development Minister.
In PMX’s first Cabinet, UMNO snagged six ministerial posts while DAP – with its 40 seats – got only four. UMNO also enjoyed deputy minister roles and various government positions plus nearly four years to re-build and strengthen its party machinery.
Why not release TH RCI findings during PM9’s tenure?
Now, let’s talk about the Lembaga Tabung Haji Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report. The findings were completed on July 19, 2022 and presented to the Agong on Aug 30 that year.
At the time, Ismail Sabri, then UMNO vice-president was PM9 alongside UMNO, Bersatu and PAS in the deemed Keluarga Malaysia government.
Why wasn’t that finished report released when UMNO was leading the government? Why weren’t the RCI’s findings and recommendations disclosed or followed up with comprehensive action before GE15?
The report was only de-classified and fully published by Anwar’s government on July 29 this year – nearly four years after it was ready.
Its release came after UMNO showed its political agenda against PH in the Johor state polls and as the country headed towards the Negeri Sembilan state polls.
By then, PH must have seen that UMNO was willing to use the unity government to grab power in Putrajaya but oppose PH when its own electoral interests demanded it.
So here’s a reasonable question that needs answering: Did UMNO ever ask or plead with Anwar and PH to hold back the RCI report’s release to preserve relations in the unity government? Did political considerations play a part in keeping it under wraps for so long?
Ungrateful, forgotten who extended political lifeline
I’m not stating that as fact. But that nearly four-year timeline raises questions you and UMNO need to answer head-on.
After enjoying power, allocations and posts in the unity government, you’re now sniping at PMX, posturing as a Malay champion while opening the “widest possible doors” to PAS in the name of Malay unity.
The record is clear: After GE14, UMNO partnered with Bersatu to topple PH. Then UMNO withdrew support from Muhyiddin and took the PM post.
After GE15 with UMNO holding just 26 seats, you turned to PH for the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) post and six ministerial slots.
Now, after using your unity government position to revive UMNO’s machinery, you’re attacking Anwar and cozying up to PAS again.
View on Threads
How many political allies need to be betrayed before the people spot your true pattern?
Muhyiddin once trusted UMNO and ended up brought down. Anwar trusted you and gave UMNO a second chance. Is Anwar now just waiting his turn for the same fate?
You were once a UMNO Youth leader who backed Anwar before his sacking in 1998. After he was ousted and jailed, you stuck with twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and UMNO.
Now Anwar trusts you again and elevates you to DPM-ship despite UMNO’s mere 26 seats.
History should teach Anwar that the most dangerous enemy isn’t always the one sitting across the table. Sometimes the foe in the bed is right beside you in the Cabinet.
This isn’t a fight for principles or Malay unity. It’s a power grab – join the government when you’re weak, use the posts to rebuild strength, then pull the rug out when you’re ready.
Datuk Seri Zahid, if UMNO truly no longer needs Anwar and PH, withdraw support now. Step down as DPM and all UMNO ministerial posts, then prove your strength at the ballot box.
Don’t eat at the unity government’s table while digging its grave from underneath. – Sept 14, 2026
Governance advocate and political commentator, Datuk Dr Sivasampoh Kannikuddy is also a group CEO/executive with a background spanning finance, banking and strategic management, including leadership roles with MyOwn Inc.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Malaysiakini
