Umno hasn’t shown it can stand alone without allies, says analyst

A leading political analyst has cautioned that Umno should not rely on PAS as a sole support system for its electoral success. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting stated that a parliamentary dissolution may backfire on Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi if PAS decides to go its own way. He urged Umno to question how many seats it can win independently if PAS withdraws its support, emphasizing that the party has not yet proven its ability to stand alone.

The analyst highlighted the need to consider the different demographic patterns, voter sentiments, and political rivalries across Malaysia's states, as each presents unique challenges. He also pointed out that Umno's victory in Melaka does not guarantee a national success, as it would be an isolated achievement dependent on specific conditions.

The analyst further suggested that Umno should explore cooperation with other parties, such as those in Pakatan Harapan, to ease the seat allocation process, especially in states like Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis, where PAS holds significant influence.