Fading ‘Big Brother’ of Malay politics crawling to PAS for survival

Umno, once the dominant force in Malay politics, finds itself in a precarious position after its electoral defeat in 2018. The party is grappling with a dilemma: whether to align itself with Pakatan Harapan (PH), the current ruling coalition, or to re-establish ties with its former rival, the Islamic party PAS. This two-tier approach is a flawed strategy that has not gained the approval of PAS.

Umno's relationship with PH has become increasingly strained, and the party's flirtation with PAS further alienates its governing partners. PAS currently holds the upper hand with a larger number of parliamentary seats and control over four state governments. Analysts argue that any formal alliance with PAS would reduce Umno to a junior partner, potentially leading to a destructive political conflict reminiscent of past confrontations.

Furthermore, Umno's previous defeat in the Muafakat Nasional agreement serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of rekindling a rivalry with PAS. In order to survive, Umno must discard its outdated mindset and adapt to the current political landscape, rather than clinging to its past dominance.