Hasrat Umno kekal kuasa utama boleh jejas kestabilan, kata penganalisis

Wong Chin Huat, a Sunway University political analyst, stated that Umno's reluctance or any stronger preference to relinquish leadership positions could potentially trigger a shift in any cooperation formed with Umno. He believes that while Umno may adopt a more flexible approach in political cooperation to regain its footing, tensions among coalition partners trying to outdo each other could undermine the stability of the government after the general election.

"No coalition fully trusts one another. However, they might take up the opportunity to form a government together contingent upon agreed-upon conditions," he told FMT. This viewpoint emerged as BN signaled different directions in their political cooperation strategy at the national and state levels. Both BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are currently working together in the federal government, but the relationship faces pressure as BN shows readiness to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in some states.

Recently in Negeri Sembilan, BN abandoned its cooperation with PH and joined PN to take over state administration. In Melaka, BN reiterated all options remain open, with BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh stating that all options are open ahead of the general election. Meanwhile, in Penang, a prominent Umno leader has proposed cooperation with PH, leading PAS Penang to question Umno's sincerity and claim that the party prioritizes political ambitions over unity agendas.

However, on Sunday, BN chairman and Umno president Zahid Hamidi rejected the possibility of cooperating with PH after the parliament was dissolved, stressing that he does not see any room for such cooperation.