As internal party debates heat up over Barisan Nasional’s (BN) electoral strategy, UMNO President and Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has doubled down on his commitment to coalition politics. In his latest remarks, Zahid confirmed that UMNO will not contest solo in the 16th General Election (GE16), despite mounting grassroots pressure and growing dissatisfaction within BN’s sidelined component parties - the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
Zahid, speaking at the Lumut UMNO Division Delegates’ Meeting, acknowledged calls from within the party - especially from Kedah and Johor - for UMNO to go solo, but firmly dismissed the suggestion. “UMNO has never contested alone, and it won’t start now,” he stressed, adding that the dacing (scales) symbol of BN will remain their election banner.
Further reinforcing this stance, Zahid told UMNO members in Gopeng that BN’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) is already bearing electoral fruit.
Citing the Mahkota and Ayer Kuning by-elections, he highlighted the surge in vote majorities as evidence of the strategy’s success. “We must not be arrogant and insist on going solo. This is our current political reality. Our partnership with PH is strategic and it has proven effective in increasing our support base,” he said, noting that Mahkota's majority jumped from 5,166 in GE15 to 20,648 in the by-election, and Ayer Kuning's from 2,213 to 5,006.
Despite Zahid’s confidence in the BN-PH alliance, deep cracks remain within the coalition - particularly from the sidelined MCA and MIC. Once-powerful voices in BN, these parties now find themselves with no Cabinet representation or government-linked appointments, in stark contrast to UMNO’s stronghold in the Madani government, which includes seven ministers and five deputy ministers.
This imbalance has led to renewed speculation that both MCA and MIC may seek political alternatives. Veteran leaders from both camps have expressed frustration over being reduced to mere observers, lacking any substantial influence. In 2019, both parties even considered exiting BN altogether over governance and representation concerns, only to retreat after last-minute assurances.
However, those assurances have since rung hollow. Zahid’s earlier promise in 2022 to secure Cabinet roles for MCA and MIC remains unfulfilled. Meanwhile, two UMNO candidates who lost in GE15 - Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Dato' Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir - were elevated to the Cabinet via Senate appointments, a move seen as a slap in the face to MCA and MIC, whose candidates did manage to win their respective seats: Dato' Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in Ayer Hitam, Dato' Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng in Tanjung Piai, and Dato' Seri M. Saravanan in Tapah.
A senior MIC leader warned, “If MIC and MCA cannot achieve political relevance in BN, then they must act to survive. There are other options - forming a third force, aligning with PN or other smaller parties like MUDA. We can no longer be passengers in a coalition that does not respect us.”
This sentiment is echoed by grassroots voices within the MCA, who believe their party has been “trapped in UMNO’s politics for too long.” With DAP - once UMNO’s arch-enemy - now occupying four Cabinet positions, many within MCA view the PH-BN alliance as a betrayal of BN’s founding ideals.
Despite Zahid’s optimism, the writing on the wall is clear. Without a concrete gesture of inclusivity and sincerity - such as relinquishing at least one full ministerial and one deputy ministerial position each to MCA and MIC respectively - UMNO risks relegating its remaining allies to mere observers and showcase partners, pushing them into political oblivion. As Perak UMNO chief Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad pointed out, efforts to gain support beyond party lines are key to GE16. But if MCA and MIC no longer stand by UMNO to represent non-Malays, any dream of dominance through broader voter support may prove short-lived.
If UMNO truly values coalition politics, then it's time to walk the talk. Otherwise, Zahid's calls for unity may only hasten BN’s unraveling.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
Malaymail , TheVibes , FocusMalaysia , BorneoPost
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