Bersatu cannot continue to rely on protest votes from disgruntled Umno supporters if it intends to stay relevant in Malaysian national politics, according to political analysts. Azmi Hassan from Akademi Nusantara explained that much of Bersatu's current support stems from discontented former Umno members, but that strategy alone is unsustainable.
Azmi noted that Umno is regaining strength, particularly through support from Malay voters, and has adapted its approach to appeal to its grassroots. In contrast, Bersatu appears to be stagnating. One example he highlighted was Umno's strategic decision during the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, where the party discouraged its government coalition partner, DAP, from campaigning. This move helped boost Umno’s image and demonstrated its ability to adjust according to voter sentiment.
The partnership between Barisan Nasional (BN) and DAP in the federal coalition government, which formed after the 2022 general election, had initially caused unrest among Umno's grassroots members, many of whom were uneasy about the alliance. However, Umno's careful management of this situation has allowed it to regain the trust of its supporters. This was evident during the Nenggiri by-election in August, where BN candidate Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani won with a significant majority, reclaiming the seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN). The Nenggiri seat had been an Umno stronghold for four consecutive terms until it was won by PN in the 2022 general election.
Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan also emphasized Bersatu’s overreliance on protest votes. Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, he argued that Bersatu had benefited from these votes during both the general and state elections but had failed to build on that momentum. He pointed out that Bersatu lacks a clear narrative, coherent policies, and a strong ideological stance, which leaves the party without a distinct identity or vision.
Azmi agreed with Shahril's critique, adding that the leadership of Bersatu has been the primary obstacle to its growth. He argued that while the party needs a change in leadership, no significant shifts are expected as party president Muhyiddin Yassin has indicated plans to appoint Hamzah Zainudin as his deputy, signaling continuity rather than change. Muhyiddin, who has been at the helm of Bersatu since its founding in 2016, has expressed his intention to defend the party presidency, suggesting little likelihood of a leadership shake-up.
Political analyst Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani echoed these concerns, arguing that Bersatu needs fresh leadership and ideas if it is to remain relevant. He called for an injection of younger leaders and innovative strategies rather than a reliance on what he termed "recycled failed Umno grassroots leaders." Asrul suggested that Bersatu should consider transforming into a Malay-dominated multicultural party, similar to PKR, in order to widen its appeal and differentiate itself from PAS within the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
According to Asrul, if Bersatu continues to mirror PAS in terms of rhetoric, it risks becoming overshadowed and limiting its reach to new voters and undecided fence-sitters. This would further hinder its ability to attract a broader base of support, leaving the party in a precarious position in Malaysia's increasingly competitive political landscape.
Bersatu was initially formed as a breakaway party from Umno by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin after a split within Umno over the 1MDB scandal during Najib Razak's premiership. Other prominent former Umno members who joined Bersatu include current deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu and vice-president Radzi Jidin. Despite its initial success, the party now faces significant challenges in maintaining its relevance unless it can reinvent itself and offer a compelling alternative to both Umno and PAS.
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