Ahmad Zahid's statement created a tense atmosphere for UMNO - Analysts

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement on the issue of UMNO MPs' support for PKR President, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has created an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere among the party members themselves.

Research fellow from the Institute of Political Studies Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM MAPAN), Dr Achmad Dzariean Mohd Nadzri said the statement of the UMNO President also failed to be interpreted and should be seen from a wide angle from the party's subordinates.

"That is not exactly what the UMNO leadership wants, but in reality this statement shows that UMNO is a party that cannot be played by any party.

"Everyone has to learn from what happened and every party in politics in this country should actually evaluate and also look at their respective strengths whether it can be interpreted into relevant political action.

"Or we can see it as giving an opportunity or threat that will happen when the political movement as Anwar has done or happened," he said when contacted here, on Saturday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid had previously said that UMNO and BN could not stop the party's MPs from deciding to support Anwar who intended to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

This is because, he said, UMNO and BN were not component parties of the Perikatan Nasional (PN).

In the meantime, said Dr Achmad Dzariean, Ahmad Zahid's statement has triggered an impact and situation that could confuse UMNO members at the lower levels and possibly even annoyance at the level of UMNO leaders themselves.

He said, when there was discomfort, UMNO members who think that when there is UMNO MP support for Anwar, there will definitely be a change of government.

"Basically, I think UMNO's statement has various tricks. Among the misinterpretations of what is contained behind Ahmad Zahid's speech itself, it has various meanings.

"Among them is first, he wants to signal to PN that UMNO can actually be the king maker, with the position of its MPs so strong, among the most at the moment and UMNO's ability to create chaos in the government today should not be taken lightly by the highest leaders of Bersatu and PN.

"Although in fact we see there are also some other parties trying to become king makers, for example Pas, in my opinion they also have different political strategies for them to give support to PN, they give commitment to MN, they are also ready to support BN but the fact is politics based on numbers, "he said.

Earlier, Simpang Renggam UMNO Division Head, Datuk Zakaria Dullah said the statement of support for the Port Dickson MP was seen as contrary to the previous promise which had allowed UMNO MPs to support the PN government led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.