UMNO-DAP new alignment considered winning ingredient in GE15 - Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR: The new political alignment between UMNO and DAP is considered by some as what is required to form a government with a strong majority with a strong partnership of multi-racial elected representatives, said Kamarul Zaman Yusoff.

The lecturer of the College of Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is of the opinion that the new alignment is seen as the winning formula and ingredient in the 15th General Election (GE15).

"Umno can pull the Malay votes, the Chinese will support DAP and PKR to complete both. That's on paper.

"Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's hopes of becoming the prime minister are higher under UMNO compared to when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“But the issue of who will lead will be determined after they win," he said in a statement on Friday.

Previously, UMNO had reportedly sent a letter to the Prime Minister regarding the party's Supreme Council (MT) decision to cease cooperation with Bersatu and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) by GE15.

Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin also confirmed that UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had sent a letter regarding the party's stance to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Meanwhile, Kamarul Zaman said, the issue of UMNO members and supporters’ acceptance may disrupt the plan if the party cooperates with DAP and Anwar.

"For a long time they were indoctrinated with the belief that both are traitors to the Malays and UMNO.

"However, if UMNO leaders can convince their members and supporters of the need and justification for such cooperation, then this may become a reality.

"Whatever it is, it is a huge gamble on the part of UMNO if this happens," he said.

Meanwhile, another political analyst, Professor Ahmad Atory Hussain said that the Malay voters do not necessarily agree if such a political alignment was formed.

He also expressed doubts as to whether the new alignment would be well received if implemented.

Earlier, Ilham Center Research Fellow, Assoc Prof Hamidin Abd Hamid, said UMNO's decision to cease cooperation with Bersatu to face GE15 is expected to see a new alignment in the country's political landscape.

According to him, the matter will also affect the quality of political players by GE15.