Umno’s Road to a New Political Battle
On Sunday, Kuala Lumpur just got a bit more chaotic. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia’s heavyweight in the ruling coalition, has decided it won’t join forces with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) when the next national election rolls around. That’s a throw‑in that’s set the already tense coalition even tighter.
Why the Rift?
- Power Struggle: PM Muhyiddin’s 13‑month reign has seen a lot of back‑and‑forth and a direct challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
- Economic Chaos: The pandemic’s economic fallout blurred the picture, giving leaders plenty of room to argue.
- UMNO’s Frustration: Although the biggest ally in PN, some UMNO figures feel like they’re just playing a supporting role. They’ve even started calling for early elections.
Umno’s Bold Statement
At its general assembly, UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made his voice clear:
“We will not be part of Perikatan Nasional as a party. This resolution is final.”
Implication? UMNO will run on the Barisan Nasional banner itself, no look‑alikes with PN.
When Will the Show Begin?
The pending election is officially slated for 2023. Even though the cabinet had joked about a “safe” early vote earlier this year, UMNO is still dancing around the exact date. Ahmad Zahid teased that the timing will likely shift to 2023 because “they have enough members of parliament now.” Only time will say if this makes a raw, true sense.
Past & Present Political Drama
- Some UMNO leaders faced corruption charges after 2018, the party’s first defeat since Malaysia’s independence.
- Former PM Najib Razak got slapped with a 12‑year jail term for the 1MDB scandal – a blow that never truly faded even though he’s still fighting the verdict.
In short, the political arena is heating up, with UMNO refusing to bow down to PM Muhyiddin’s coalition. The beef may turn into an even bigger saga as the next election time nears – keep your eyes peeled!
