Muhyiddin under renewed pressure in Malaysia as key ally Umno considers political split
- Umno said it would discuss the motion to cut ties with Muhyiddin’s Bersatu party during its general assembly at the end of this month
- Umno’s top leadership is deadlocked over whether it should remain in the Perikatan Nasional coalition, and may want to force a snap election
Umno will be discussing the motion to cut ties with Bersatu during its general assembly at the end of January, the party’s top leadership said late Wednesday night, adding that the decision would “greatly impact the party and country‘s future”.
The looming split, say analysts, would prove disastrous for Muhyiddin’s hold on power, as Umno commands the support of the majority of the nation’s ethnic Malays, the largest voting bloc. Although Umno previously held power for over six decades as the head of the Barisan Nasional coalition, it was ousted in 2018 national elections by the Pakatan Harapan administration, which featured Muhyiddin among its leadership.
Less than two years later, however, Muhyiddin and several allies staged a political coup and set up the Perikatan Nasional government, which has been in power since March 2020.
Najib is just one of many Umno members currently facing corruption and abuse of power charges in court – one of the reasons Umno is rethinking its alliance with Muhyiddin, said secretary general Ahmad Maslan, describing the cases as “cruel”.
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This, as well as the perception that Umno has lost its primacy and control despite having more parliamentary heft than Bersatu, has led to discontent from the party and intense politicking despite their ostensible alliance.
