Umno-BN brims with bravado

In Negeri Sembilan recently, all 14 Umno assemblymen abruptly and unexpectedly withdrew their support for the PKR menteri besar, citing his alleged failure to resolve a royal crisis in the state.

Never mind that both parties are supposed to be partners in the federal unity government.

Then came Johor. There, the BN state chapter announced it intended to contest the upcoming state polls alone, slamming the door on any cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.

Johor Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi underscored the point dramatically, declaring he would rather relinquish his menteri besar post than work with DAP.

But is this bravado really the hallmark of a revitalised coalition, or is Malaysia’s grand ol’ party struggling to find its footing?

If Umno were truly confident, why the overtures to PAS, as confirmed by its president Abdul Hadi Awang? If Umno-BN were so sure about going solo, why seek PAS’s help?

The answer, dressed up as “fostering Malay-Muslim unity,” is hardly convincing.

Voters today are savvy enough to recognise such slogans as political manoeuvres rather than altruistic missions. After all, this isn’t the first time Umno has played the unity card.

Just last year, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi admitted to meeting opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin in Bangkok—dubbed the “Bangkok Move.” PAS leaders Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Takiyuddin Hassan were also present.

The meeting was conveniently framed as a discussion on Malay-Muslim unity, without any talk of government change.

Still, the logic of courting Malay-based parties is undeniable in a country where voting patterns often follow racial lines. The majority race remains the kingmaker.

Onn Hafiz’s anti-DAP stance may well be an attempt to appeal to Malay voters. Yet, it is a risky gambit: alienating non-Malay voters while gambling that mimicking Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s rhetoric will resonate with the Malay crowd. Unless, of course, Umno decides to team up with PAS to secure the Malay vote outright.

The Negeri Sembilan debacle has left Umno looking opportunistic, even traitorous, after a failed coup. Instead of defenders of the royal institution, they risk being branded as political schemers. This makes PAS’s support all the more crucial, as Umno scrambles to recover Malay votes lost in the fallout.

“Fostering Malay unity” now doubles as damage control — especially since Umno may have sabotaged its ties with PH, the same coalition that kept it relevant by bringing it into government.

PAS now appears to have become Umno’s Plan B.

Together, the two parties could command the numbers needed. An alliance would also restore Umno’s claim to the prime minister’s post.

With Malay votes split among Umno, PAS and a weakened Bersatu, Zahid’s courtship of PAS makes numerical sense.

Yet Umno’s posturing recalls dramatist John Webster’s line: “Cowardly dogs bark loudest.” If Umno were truly the force it pretends to be, it would have also demanded the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly.

The reality is stark. Umno is weak, dependent on partners, and terrified of flying solo.

In truth, Umno appears to be running scared.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.