In the Barisan Nasional circle, often discussed in conversations is the relevance of MCA.
Till the next political shift, majority of Chinese voters are backing DAP to represent them. MCA is left with two seats in Malay-majority Parliamentary constituencies. Meanwhile, barring anything untowards, MIC is left with only the Deputy President's Tapah seat.
Be that as it may, the future is not so assured for UMNO as well and the caution was thrown at the recent UMNO General Assembly. The surprise win at the Nenggiri by-election and confidence leading to the Bukit Mahkota by-election does not assure a lasting one.
Though Zahid meant as BN would be deemed irrelevant should PH form a unity government with PN after GE15, UMNO's relevance has entered the vocabulary.
They cannot fail to reinvent themselves and find the right positioning in today's politics.
Joceline Tan still see a bleak future for UMNO as she dwelled on the future leadership of the party. In a feudel party like UMNO, weightage on leadership as the determinant of success is more.
Such is it that there is a faint hope for Najib to revive the party. By the time he finally get released and back in mainstream politics, will the channel of young voters that threw him out not in their prime and generational change politics has taken place?
Its happening everywhere. That the diehards refused to face the eventuality.
Then there is UMDAP to contend with.
Yet after two years, mid-level leaders, members and supporters still could not grasp the need and realpolitik for the multi-coalition arrangement of the Unity Government. Still gullible to the teasing of ex-UMNO in PPBM and PAS.
UMNO members seemed to be in-denial of the social shifts and generational change, which the Malaysian experiance seemed to go far right and far left. They still harbour the hope things could return to the good old days if certain things changed such as replacing Zahid and Najib pardonned.
Actually the arithmatic is not so easy. Its more mathematical, complex and abstract Mathematics.
False sense of confidence
UMNO, its leaders and party members at large should not be lost in a false of confidence by the Nenggiri win, other by-elections won by PH and likely in the bag Bukit Mahkota.
It need to reflect, contemplate and dig deep within their soul in search for the raison d'etre of their existence and find a relevant purpose of their struggle (perjuangan) in the present and different political environment.
Its beyond the usual cliche rhetorics for the pursuit of the alif ba ta cause or interest.
There is more to ponder over.
The often said descriptions of PAS are as being clueless in governing and the states they led are dependent on financial handouts from the Federal government.
while, the recently launched SG4 company to be owned equally by the four PAS led states is still unclear and sceptics remain in doubt that it will amount to anything.
Even if it is a political gimmick as fodder for their ceramah politik and possibly fall to some corporate scams, it is a good optics and shows PAS is not taking their fate laying down but serious attempt made to overcome obstacle to develop their states.
Equally interesting was yesterday's event of MB Selangor, Datok Amiruddin Shari and MB Kedah, Dato Sanusi Mohd Nor having a cooperation and fooball soire together. Only last year they were at each other's throat but now having casual teh tarik togather as old friends and putting aside politics for mutual economic interest.
The talk in certain political circle it could be the early stages towards a new political realignment since PPBM could not even offer a candidate of their own for Nenggiri and Muhyiddin was visibly absent at the SG4 company launch.
With the sedition charge, almost assured conviction on the RM232.5 million Bersatu's money laundering case and possibly 1Bestari.net investigation likely will lead to him, Muhyiddin is lost in his ferocity, ego and in-denial.
PAS cannot depend on Muhyiddin and Bersatu for any form of support.
So the point is it is not as easy as changing the leader or Najib return as President and all will fall back to its original form and UMNO glory days are back.
Mantle of Malay leadership
For one, the Malay brand is no more the sole ownership of UMNO but that of many.
So do the alternative Islamic branding, in which PAS has an oligopoly nearing a monopoly on conservatism and only left is a niche progressive Islamic segment to be shared with others.
Despite remaining in government, UMNO has yet to set itself apart and be seen as holding the mantle of Malay leadership and the agenda setter it once was.
It is not enough to talk of merely of Bumiputera empowerment or educate members on TVET initiatives or efforts of the various UMNO Ministers in their Ministries
At the UMNO General Assembly, the discussion; ever since losing government in 2018 till the recent one, remained focus on politics, party matters, and conduct of its political affairs.
It is still repeating and convincing the same explanations and matters arising since 2018 and 2022 GE15. Is the UMNO masses that blase?
The serious discusssion on the plight of the Malays or a more positive and inspirational approach of where to lead the Malays to are seriously missing.
If they prefer to talk less but let their deliverable do the talking, then UMNO could not be able to share its visionary outlook of the nation and world.
In the meanwhile, they should not be shy to talk, articulate and take ownership of the Madani economics or humane economics vision which they play an integral role in Government. Instead the Ministers tone were defensive and still convincing sceptics.
By right, they should be bold to discuss the challenges of the Malays in the current fast changing environment and lay out what the party view as the path ahead and action plans that the government could do.
Urge on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the betterment of the Malays.
Own initiatives
It does not potray UMNO well as the leaders of the Malay when at the time of UMNO General Assembly, Rafizi Ramli stole the limelight to announce Putera 35 and progressive wage, and Anwar announce new civil service pay package.
Its not the first time UMNO evade a discourse on Malay economic empowerment to let Rafizi and EPU do the thinking and talking but hardly offered anything original or something to grasp and work on.
Better still, rather than merely talk and desak-desak like Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa or other typical police report stunt NGOs or informal groups, UMNO undertake its own initiatives.
The future requires Malay to be more "berdikari" (standing on their own two feet), self starter, and resourceful.
UMNO could tap on its vast pool of thinkers, professionals and expertise to part ways with the feudel dependent culture and think of an economic and social support ecology that encourage an independent and strong willed Malays to enable them to fish than depend on fish provided by feudel lords as in the past.
Do the program and make it happen.
That is one way UMNO could distinguish itself from government and regain back the confidence of the Malays.
Coming to its senses
Though the mantle of national leadership is not UMNO's, it should not be moused into silence or not continue their past practise of "parti menguasai kerajaan". If it is not with power, then through well argued and researched ideas and solutions.
For consolation, it is encouraging that former critique of UMNO such as M Veera Pandiayan could compliment UMNO as coming to its senses.
Coming from Tengku Zafrul, who quit his position in UMNO Selangor, it is refreshing that he could sense a revival is in the air.
Dr Akmal is beginning to articulate better. As a Malay, do not foresake adab. Finger pointing is rude and unrefined. And to talk of dominance now, it is premature.
First and there are many first to deliver, regain confidence, retake the political ground, positioning for leadership role and public acceptability. Then, make it sustainable.
Johari Gani saw it right. It needs two or three more GE. So the sulking and whining has to stop immediately.
Heed Tok Mat's advise to ignore toxic politics of oppositions and let them play low. The fense seaters had enough. We play high.
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