Perak Politics: UMNO needs to change policy if it wants to cooperate with PH - Analyst

According to Ilham Center Research Fellow, Prof Dr Hamidin Hamid, this is because the party's decision clearly states that they will not cooperate with DAP and PKR.

“The emergency meeting of the UMNO political bureau tonight is to ensure that whatever action UMNO will take in Perak will be in accordance with the party's policies and rulings.

“This is important because the party's decision so far clearly states that they (UMNO) will not cooperate with DAP and PKR.

"I think, to enable UMNO to work with PKR, DAP and Amanah to form the Perak state government, UMNO must change its policy," said Hamidin in an interview with Buletin AWANI today.

He was also of the view that opposition from within the party itself was the biggest obstacle for UMNO in forming a new government with PH in Perak.

"I see the pressure for UMNO will come not only from the parties that form Perikatan Nasional, but from within UMNO itself," he said

In the meantime, he said, if UMNO succeeds in forming a new coalition with PH, it would be a very strong government because it has the support of two-thirds of the State Assembly (DUN) members.

However, he said, the success in forming the new coalition government will not only change the political alignment in Perak, but also at the Federal level.

"At the Federal level, voting for the Budget is still ongoing until December 17.

"I think what is happening in Perak will to some extent affect the (political) alignment, especially in the context of the approval of the 2021 Budget," he said.

The state's political turmoil began after Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu failed to gain the majority support of state assemblymen in a motion of confidence in him submitted at the state assembly sitting last Friday.

In a secret ballot conducted, Ahmad Faizal who is also Bersatu’s deputy president and Chenderiang ADUN, only got 10 votes, while 48 voted against him and one abstained.

The Perak DUN consists of 25 BN state assemblymen all from UMNO, DAP (16), Amanah (5), Bersatu (5), PKR (3) and Pas (3), while Gerakan and Bebas each have one seat.

On Sunday, UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) did not rule out the possibility of a new alignment in Perak in line with the political crisis that hit the state.

However, Ahmad Zahid hoped that the government under the leadership of the last Menteri Besar can be maintained.

In addition, Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming said PH was ready to work with any party including UMNO to form a strong and stable government in Perak.