PETALING JAYA: With delegates backing a motion that there be no contest for the top two posts in Umno, analysts say there will be an intense tussle for other top positions in the party.
Several said there were pros and cons in blocking contests for the presidency and deputy presidency, with infighting among the hazards to be faced.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Azmi Hassan said Umno leaders who were opposed to party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will likely target other important positions such as the vice-presidencies, supreme council seats, and positions in the Youth, Wanita and Puteri branches.
“It will be an intense fight between the group wanting to change the status quo and the other pressing to keep things as they are,” he said.
Azmi noted that the recently-concluded Umno general assembly saw many delegates voting in favour of the motion to have the top two positions go uncontested in the looming party polls.
“But, does it reflect the choice of the grassroots who were not delegates at the general assembly? That’s the main question and why this is not the end for the group that wants to see changes,” he said.
Azmi said the “no contest” move has its pros and cons.
“If I’m going to be positive, (it would lead to) a vibrant Umno. On the negative side, it will divide the party into two big groups,” he said.
He added that any internal division in Umno would only weaken the party.
“One of the reasons behind Umno’s dismal performance in GE15 (the 15th General Election last November) was the division between these two particular groups,” he said.
On Saturday, the Umno general assembly approved a motion for the president and deputy president’s post not to be contested in the coming party polls.
This means that Ahmad Zahid and Mohamad will remain as the party No 1 and No 2 for another term.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the no-contest resolution would certainly cause dissatisfaction among leaders who wanted to vie for either post.
“The degree of dissatisfaction will determine how Umno wants to position itself, as we can see stern disciplinary action (against leaders who opposed the no-contest rule), which includes sacking,” he said, adding that there was also a likelihood of certain leaders quitting the party.
Prof Sivamurugan expects the Umno polls to be held later this year to be an intense affair.
“We can expect a fight for other posts, especially the three vice-presidencies,” he added.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political analyst Suffian Mansor said any potential internal dissatisfaction in Umno would just be “a storm in a teacup”.
“The Umno leaders (who did not agree with the resolution) would undertake a silent protest,” he said.
To strengthen Umno, he said Ahmad Zahid must lead by example and portray a clean image to ward off attacks.
“This is a big task. But with the top two posts uncontested, it will surely strengthen the present unity government,” added Suffian.
Political analyst Oh Ei Sun said the decision by Umno to bar any contest for its top two positions could benefit the government, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership was supported by Ahmad Zahid.
“(But) I’m not sure if it would strengthen Umno as it still faces the onslaught of the ‘green wave’,” he said, referring to PAS’ gains in GE15.
