A political analyst has cautioned that repeated calls by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for the party to exit the unity government could weaken Umno’s strongest electoral advantage over Perikatan Nasional, particularly its regained appeal among non-Muslim voters.
Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat said Umno benefited significantly after forming the unity government with Pakatan Harapan in November 2022, as the partnership helped restore non-Muslim voter confidence in several mixed constituencies during the six state elections held in 2023. According to Wong, this transferability of votes had been a crucial factor distinguishing Umno from its rivals in PN.
He pointed to research by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute showing that a substantial portion of the 28% non-Muslim electorate in Pelangai, Pahang, supported the Barisan Nasional candidate representing the unity government. These voters had previously aligned with Pakatan Harapan, indicating a shift driven by the post-2022 political arrangement.
Wong warned that any move by Umno to align itself with PAS and Bersatu would inevitably polarise the political landscape along ethnic lines, placing Pakatan Harapan and East Malaysian parties on one side, and Malay-based parties on the other. In such a scenario, non-Malay voters would likely consolidate behind Pakatan Harapan, leaving Umno exposed in mixed seats where it traditionally holds more ground than PAS.
Dr Akmal, speaking at a special Umno Youth convention held in early January 2026, urged the party to withdraw its support for the unity government and move into opposition. He cited alleged violations of so-called red lines involving race, religion and royalty, commonly referred to as the 3Rs. Among the issues raised were public anger over controversial incidents involving religious sensitivities, national symbols and alcohol being served at an official event.
Wong argued that revisiting these issues amounted to political recycling, suggesting that the focus on the 3Rs was intended to divert attention from corruption allegations associated with Umno. He added that corruption was increasingly being framed as a sensitive issue by groups aligned with former prime minister Najib Razak.
Another analyst, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, offered a more cautious view. While he acknowledged that Akmal’s remarks could alienate some Pakatan Harapan supporters, Azmi said Umno had little history of securing non-Malay votes due to its long-standing race-based narratives. He also questioned the rationale behind calls to leave the unity government, noting that it was formed on royal advice to ensure stability.
Azmi added that Umno still had time before the next general election to rebuild support across communities, arguing that remaining in government offered the party a stronger platform to do so.
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