Zahid must face up to the reality within his party

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is still on a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, has vociferously challenged Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament. The question is whether Umno’s entire membership truly stands firmly behind him.

According to various polls, the Madani government is currently performing well. Therefore, Zahid’s demand to dissolve Parliament merely to prove his political strength is uncalled for.

The reality is that Barisan Nasional currently holds only 30 parliamentary seats. If Zahid is so confident in his political strength, he should simply withdraw the support of BN MPs. He does not need to appear desperate by calling for the dissolution of Parliament merely to prove something that remains uncertain.

Developments within Umno itself are also beginning to raise serious questions, as several of its key leaders appear more comfortable with continuing to work closely with the Anwar Ibrahim government.

Shifting positions

For instance, while deputy prime minister Zahid was delivering his speech at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre, vice-president Johari Abdul Ghani, as minister of investment, trade and industry, remained firmly alongside Anwar during an official working visit to India.

This is a subtle yet clear signal of how duties and responsibilities should be shouldered with integrity, rather than reduced to rhetorical politics.

The same pattern can be seen in the positions taken by Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in Pahang and Saarani Mohamad in Perak, who have consistently viewed PH-BN cooperation as the primary option for maintaining political stability in their respective states.

Such mature attitudes from state leaders, who understand the need to distinguish between political differences and the broader interests of the rakyat, bring a much-needed sense of stability to the country.

Furthermore, the challenge issued by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan to PAS-PN to dissolve the Terengganu state legislative assembly also provides a clearer picture of the party’s internal dynamics.

Zahid’s position

The stance taken by Umno’s top leadership on current political relations does not appear to be fully aligned with the more aggressive approach championed by Zahid. This raises a bigger question: To what extent do Umno’s leadership and grassroots members actually agree with Zahid’s approach of repeatedly attacking the Madani government?

Is this vociferousness fuelled by frustration over Anwar’s refusal to interfere in Zahid’s court case, which will soon be determined by the Federal Court?

Within Umno itself, the party’s direction appears increasingly blurred. It remains unclear which leaders are genuinely convinced that Zahid’s attacks on the government are the right course of action.

Ironically, after heated debates criticising the Madani government, the rhetoric ultimately hit a dead end. The resolution adopted on the final day of the Umno general assembly was for the party to remain in the federal government.

Cracks showing

That resolution is arguably the most authentic indicator of the party’s actual stance towards the current government. All the cheering and political rhetoric on the general assembly’s stage do not change the fact that Umno has chosen not to withdraw its support for the government.

A message for Zahid: It would be far better to ensure that political support within your own party is genuinely solid before occupying yourself with challenging Anwar. The cracks are beginning to show, and signs of resistance from political allies within Umno itself can no longer be ignored.

Before questioning and challenging the “Guru”, first ensure that you possess the necessary political support and clout. Otherwise, prepare to watch your “classmates” within your own party find a way to oust you ahead of time.

Moaz Nair is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

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