Umno saddened by deferment of Najib's pardon bid, says Zahid

As Umno prepares for the 2016 general election, President Zahid Hamidi must tackle whether the party has refreshed its image after its worst performance in the 2022 general election. Analyst Sivamurugan Pandian from the University of Science Malaysia believes that Zahid remains a key figure of Umno due to the strong grip he holds within the party, his ability to manage political alliances, and his success in ensuring Barisan Nasional (BN) remains relevant as the key ally in the federal government.

However, the analyst warns of various political issues that could further tarnish Umno's image, including recent controversies surrounding the Department of Rural and Regional Development's spending, Tabung Haji, and Felda, as well as allegations of involvement in the government's internal turmoil in Negeri Sembilan. While it is unfair to blame Zahid for all these issues as some occurred before his presidency, he is still responsible for contributing to the political problems facing him.

According to Sivamurugan, what could help Zahid is Umno and BN's performance in the upcoming state elections, which could help the party recover from its poor performance in the 2022 general election and the 2025 Sabah state election. "Zahid has restored Umno's position, but his challenge is to maintain the momentum," warns Sivamurugan.

The question now is whether Umno can capitalize on this momentum. Analyst Jayum Jawan from the University of Putra Malaysia notes that the recent victory for Umno might raise expectations for another comeback, but concerns remain about the party's direction. He points out that the coalition partners who will be chosen for the 2016 general election are still unclear.

Umno will be working with the National Accord (PN) in Negeri Sembilan, while it remains allied with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the federal government. Jayum warns that this diverse alignment could confuse supporters about their direction. "He also faces the challenge of leading a party that is plagued with controversies, including those involving a few of its leaders and the current situation," he adds.

Analyst Syaza Shukri from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia states that Zahid shows readiness to protect Umno's interests even as he leads the party in a coalition with PH at the federal level. However, she adds, there are still doubts about Zahid's true stance on federal cooperation. Syaza believes that recent controversies surrounding Umno have raised questions about the party's direction in the aftermath of its poor performance in the 2022 general election.

"Is Umno undergoing reform as promised after the 2022 general election, or is everything business as usual?" she asks.