By Jamari Mohtar
JUST when the daily COVID-19 infection figures show a downward trend and the economy generally starts to show signs of recovery, Umno is up at it again in politicking that will only cause instability to the country.
One wonders what it is that Umno really wants?
It has made crystal clear of its intention since day one of supporting the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government helmed by Bersatu with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the Prime Minister which was based on the understanding to save Malaysia by forming a coalition government due to the failure of Pakatan Harapan (PH), and nothing more.
In the early days of the coalition, there was a buddy-buddy spirit between the two for their success in disposing the PH government, and hence the question of Bersatu joining the political pact Muafakat Nasional (MN) formed between Umno and PAS, along with the possibility of the three parties becoming members of PN in the spirit of Malay unity were discussed and entertained in a very cordial manner.
In fact, there was even talk of seat negotiations among the three parties then to face the 15th General Election (GE 15) to avoid multiple contests.
But things started to change after July 28 when former Umno president and ex-premier, Datuk Sri Najib Razak was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 mil for his crimes of corruption.
On July 30, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the party is not formally joining the PN coalition.
The party will instead strengthen the MN coalition together with PAS and Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, according to the Umno president.
“Our support for the PN Government is only based on support from Umno and BN MPs and assemblypersons to form the federal government and certain state governments,” Zahid said.
What this basically meant is while Umno has decided against officially joining the PN coalition, the party has not withdrawn its support for the PN Government.
The move while appearing conflicting, allows Muhyiddin to remain as the eighth Prime Minister. This was consistent with Umno’s stance on day one of the formation of the PN Government, with the only new thing being its resolve not to join PN formally.
The announcement came on the same day a snap election in Sabah was announced after the then state Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal dissolved the state assembly amidst a political crisis.
In the lead up to the Sabah state election, Zahid pre-empted Muhyiddin by announcing the party, under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, would nominate Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin as the chief minister candidate.
This is like counting the chickens before the eggs were hatched and a snub to Muhyiddin. Not to mention the nomination of Bung Moktar itself had initially triggered a controversy among the Sabah Umno members. Such matters like this should best be discussed behind closed-doors.
In the end, Muhyiddin decided on the basis that the coalition in the grand coalition of GRS with the most seats should have the right to name a chief minister, and he did this only after the election results were known, unlike Zahid who brought it up during the heat of campaigning.
Hence, Sabah Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor was named as the new Chief Minister because his party won the most seats (17) as compared to BN’s 14.
That did not stop Umno leaders later on to allege that Muhyiddin’s decision was an example of how a small party like Bersatu is bullying a big party (Umno).
It became worse when Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dropped a bombshell claiming that he had “a strong, formidable and convincing numbers” to form the federal government.
It was alleged that both Umno leaders, Najib and Zahid, had written to Istana Negara of their support for Anwar to ascend the premiership.
To this day, both Umno leaders have remained mum on the issue, while former BN secretary general Tan Sri Annuar Musa has provided evidence of it.
The plot thickened in December, when Umno succeeded in ousting Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, with the help on DAP and PKR.
The funny thing about this takeover was that it was the result of a motion of confidence put up by an Umno state assemblyman for Bersatu Menteri Besar (MB), Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, but then when it came to voting time, the majority of the Umno assemblymen were voting against the MB.
Normally, when a motion of confidence was put up by a party, the party concerned is duty-bound to support the MB, unlike a motion of no confidence. So, who is bullying who? This is perhaps the reason why Zahid had to make a public apology to Muhyiddin and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang whose assemblymen supported Faizal in the motion.
It was at this time that the possibility of Umno working with Anwar and DAP was mooted, leading to Annuar Musa saying this was against Umno’s stance of “No Anwar, no DAP”.
More bad news came when two Umno MPs withdrew support from PN in January, reducing the Government’s majority to one, which was against Umno’s official intention to support the PN Government.
If Umno supports PN, then why no action was taken against the two MPs? Either, this reflects Zahid’s weak leadership, who can’t even discipline his own members, or it Umno just paying lip service on its support for the Government?
Perhaps, it is timely that Former Deputy Premier Tun Musa Hitam said that for Umno to thrive, it has to leave out leaders with criminal charges.
Through it all, the response of Bersatu, especially Muhyiddin, was exemplary in being measured. It was the same trademark response of Muhyiddin towards Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter insisted that he was still chairman of Bersatu.
The Pagoh MP just wished the former premier well, even though the latter used harsh words against his former protégé,
Likewise, Bersatu’s recent response towards Zahid’s letter of cooperating with PN only until the next general election was greeted by Muhyiddin in a calm manner, adding he would solidify cooperation with other coalition partners.
At the beginning of the article, I posed a question on what Umno really wants. Some observers have opined that while it wants Muhyiddin to go, Umno does not want Anwar to replace him either.
Adding to the confusion, Umno has no clear idea on who should succeed the premiership.
If this is indeed true, let us hope that Umno and the Opposition can be more patient while waiting for the pandemic to end and later on, a rejuvenated Malaysian economy.
Otherwise, all these political dramas would only create instability, leaving the rakyat to suffer. – March 9, 2021.
Jamari Mohtar is Director of Media & Communications at EMIR Research, an independent think-tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based upon rigorous research.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
