Obvious.
For decades, UMNO have framed DAP as an existential threat to Malay privileges, Islam, and the Malay rulers to rally their grassroots base.
The role of DAP as a political "scapegoat" is a well-documented and central theme in Malaysian politics.
For over 50 years, UMNO utilized DAP—a predominantly Chinese, social-democratic party—as a convenient foil.
By projecting fears of non-Malay political dominance, UMNO could position itself as the sole defender of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy).
This rhetoric was highly effective at distracting from internal party issues, economic mismanagement, or high-profile corruption scandals.
Thus, when UMNO joined forces with PH and DAP to form the Madani Government, how does the UMNO leadership expect to change the mindsets of the decades-long conditioning of the grassroots?
The takeaway from this admission by the Deputy President of UMNO is that the decades long conditioning has been extremely successful where UMNO successfully framed DAP’s multi-ethnic, merit-based platform not just as a political alternative, but as a direct existential threat to Malay political dominance and institutional privileges.
If UMNO return to dominance like how it annihilated their political rivals in Johor and Negeri Sembilan at the national level at the 16th GE, the mindsets of the Malay would continue and not change.
Would the Malay’s mindsets of DAP ever change?
Expectations were high that the Madani government would deliver consistent economic stability and growth, fair aid distribution, and clean governance that visibly benefits Malays without harming other races but unfortunately, it did not materialise or the results were not there for all to witness or if it is there, it was not communicated correctly and effectively to the Malay voters.
With the projected return of UMNO to being a dominant force to the political landscape, it looks like this mindset will continue to persist in the minds of the Malay for many more years to come.
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