Tok Mat admits Umno’s DAP ties were hard to sell to Malay voters

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has said that the party has found it difficult to persuade Malay voters to accept its relationship with DAP in the federal Government. The Malaysian politician highlighted that Uhomo's attempts to explain its cooperation with DAP have not been successful in changing the minds of the majority of Malay voters.

"Look at how Umno has tried to justify and explain its cooperation with DAP in the Unity Government," he stated at the simultaneous opening of the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri Umno general assemblies. The deputy president pointed out that Malays hold a strong belief that DAP opposes affirmative action policies for bumiputera and that DAP is anti-Islamic.

This has made it challenging for Umno to justify its partnership, as these perceptions have been ingrained in the Malay electorate. While acknowledging the Unity Government's efforts in economic growth, aid distribution, combating corruption, and reforms in various sectors, Mohamad argued that these actions do not appear as Malay-focused.

He emphasized that as long as Umno remains associated with DAP, these initiatives will be seen as not representing Malay interests. The Malaysian politician warned that Umno risks neglecting Malay and Islamic interests if it fails to handle this issue effectively. The comments were made as Umno strives to regain support among Malay voters, following years of political upheaval since the party's loss in the 2018 general election.