PETALING JAYA: As the dust settles from the Umno general assembly 2025, political analysts say the party faces a delicate balancing act – navigating its role in the Unity government while responding to a vocal grassroots base still entrenched in anti-DAP rhetoric.
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said the Unity government remains intact because Umno and Pakatan Harapan need each other but the real challenge lies in translating policy into action.
“Even if the top leadership aligns with the prime minister, what happens if pressure from the grassroots becomes too intense? Would Umno abandon government policies unpopular with its grassroots? That would make Umno an unreliable partner.”
Syaza also highlighted the irony in the party’s current electoral strategy. While the leadership continues to cooperate with DAP in government, Umno Youth’s confrontational approach helps the party maintain its identity as a Malay nationalist force, particularly in competition with PAS rather than DAP itself.
“Anti-DAP rhetoric is useful for electoral gain because Umno still needs to position itself as a Malay nationalist party to compete with PAS. But when it comes to governance, attacking its own government partner is counterproductive.”
She warned that such rhetoric could erode public confidence in the government and create openings for opposition criticism.
She described the “Rumah Bangsa” initiative – aimed at reuniting Malays – as a paradox.
“Basically, Umno wants to reassert itself as the main Malay party in Malaysia at a time when it no longer is. The very call for this shows that Umno is no longer the first choice, yet it continues to base its legitimacy on historical narrative and institutional strength.”
She cautioned that while the Unity government may hold for the current term, ongoing identity-based flashpoints and populist tactics – particularly targeting DAP – could make the partnership unsustainable post-GE16.
Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan echoed the focus on Malay unity as the primary driver behind the assembly.
“Umno’s direction is very clear following the assembly. The focus is on the unity – or disunity – of Malay voters or the Malay community as a whole.”
He said the leadership’s Rumah Bangsa initiative signals Umno’s intent to spearhead Malay unity through the proposed Kolaborasi Agung (grand coalition), inviting participation from other Malay-interest parties.
“This is happening before GE16, not after. Zahid made sure this collaboration is not about dismantling the current government. It is a discussion about Malay unity or disunity ahead of GE16. After the election, it will be easier to reorganise political consortiums or arrangements, since Kolaborasi Agung will already be established.”
Azmi stressed that Umno is positioning itself to regain Malay voter trust through Rumah Bangsa while maintaining the flexibility to cooperate with any coalition after the election, including Pakatan Harapan if necessary.
On the question of DAP, Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun highlighted the generational and functional split within Umno.
“This is nothing new. Umno Youth has always played the role of a radical vanguard defending or advancing Malay rights, while the party proper assumes the role of the elder statesman with the political ‘big picture’ in mind.”
Oh said Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s decision to step down from his Malacca state exco role to “fight DAP to the end” fits a long-standing pattern – Youth wings adopt a fierce stance, while senior leadership focuses on coalition stability.
“As long as DAP remains a predominantly Chinese-based party, it will always serve as a convenient ‘straw man’ (a person/party regarded as having no substance or integrity) for Malay-based parties to rally supporters.”