Akar umbi Umno mahu kerjasama, tapi tetap curiga

Several Umno founding leaders have expressed lingering concerns among the Umno base regarding PAS. In Kuala Lumpur, Wan Mohamad Yusoff Wan Abdullah, Umno Klang Division Public Relations chief, said collaboration with PAS needed to be done carefully due to existing doubts among the Umno base about PAS's commitment. "Don't play us," he warned, referencing the painful experiences of the National Front (MN) coalition.

The Umno base still harbors concerns, he said, when FMT was brought up at the Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Wan Mohamad discussed efforts to strengthen ties between Umno and PAS, touching on the politics of retribution between the Barisan Nasional and PAS, as well as their partnership in the PN and PRN Johor and Negeri Sembilan blocs. The MN, formed by Umno and PAS in September 2019, disbanded after PAS formed Perikatan Nasional with Bersatu and later rejected Bersatu's entry into MN.

In early September, Umno Deputy President Mohamad Hasan warned Umno not to be used again in any attempt at political unity and to be cautious about any future cooperation.

Ahmad Sapari, a member of the Umno Central Committee from the South, said the Umno base generally had no problem with efforts to unite Malay and Islamic parties for a common interest. However, he cautioned Umno to investigate any conditions before accepting cooperation with PAS, warning of the danger of "two bites of the same apple."

Isa Ulong, a member of the Umno Gopeng Committee, said cooperation with PAS could only be considered if there were a proper mechanism to strengthen understanding. "If cooperation is to happen, there must be something that strengthens understanding," he said. Sheikh Rajesh Sheikh Ahmad, another Umno leader, acknowledged Umno's potential to rise again and not to view PAS as the sole determinant of Malay political strength.

He saw the openness to cooperation with PAS as a good start following years of advocacy by Malay party supporters. Asked if Umno needed to be cautious, Sheikh Rajesh said any progress depended on the efforts of the top leadership to resolve their issues.