Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

As June 2022 proceed to the end, it was marked by several striking developments that happened within UMNO.  The Court Cluster and disunity within the party had caused UMNO’s dilemma, which later will affect the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the future.

1MDB and Najib

It was 1^st June when BN held its convention in the World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur, with an emphasis on fostering unity and strength among the party’s constituent members. The convention includes UMNO, MCA, MIC, and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah as component parties. The event coincided with the coalition’s 48th-anniversary celebration a day (PBRS). A coalition party called “Friends of BN” would also attend the conference.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri thanked the leaders of UMNO and the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties for their support throughout his tenure as the 9^th Prime Minister from August 21 of last year. The PM who is also the vice-president of UMNO said the confidence provided was not an easy one. And he is willing to bear the burden with the BN leadership.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that he was charged was not charged with theft in his corruption trials but rather with laundering money he did not directly benefit from.

At the same event, former BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his speech informed the coalition that he was not charged with theft in his corruption trials but rather with laundering money he did not directly benefit from. He utilises this platform to promote himself and show that he is ready to make a comeback.

In the 1MDB trial, he is being charged with receiving four bribes totaling RM2.3 billion and 21 charges of money laundering totaling RM4.3 billion.

The 1MDB matter is seen as a political rather than a corruption case by some in the BN. They regard Najib’s actions as refilling the “war fund,” which is required to fight elections. This has been happening for decades.

The Malay political system used to defend its own until Mahathir utilised 1MDB for political gain. Najib would never have gone to court if it hadn’t been for intra-Malay squabbling. This is the storey of the UMNO coalition, driven by the ‘court cluster.’

The time is changing and BN itself cannot be constrained by the past, especially after its successes in the last three state elections.

The BN must reinvent itself to preserve voter appeal.

The war between Zahid and Ismail

While Najib keeps defending his stance on the 1MDB case, the war within UMNO itself has begun. This is especially in between the two main factions of the party – Zahid’s camp and Ismail’s side.

This can be observed when Tajuddin Rahman, Ismail Sabri’s firm supporter has been removed from UMNO’s Supreme Working Council (MKT) by Zahid Hamidi.

The Prime Minister and UMNO’s Vice President, Ismail Sabri did not attend the party’s MKT meeting. The absence was observed by several party leaders as Ismail took a position on Tajuddin’s concerns, which means “the struggle has begun”.

Furthermore, he also disappears from “Top 5” meeting which was held prior the MKT.

The removal of Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman from the Supreme Working Council (MKT) shows deeper turmoil and war that rages within UMNO

Instead, Ismail decided to participate in an online discussion on global development that was being led by the Chinese president Xi Jinping. Party insiders claimed that Ismail may delegate the position to a senior minister.

The scenario revealed Ismail’s incompatibility at the MKT meeting as an obvious sign of his position.

By removing Tajuddin, it’s a war within UMNO. The squabble between the two camps is impossible for one side to truly harm the other without also harming himself.

From UMNO’s side, the vote of no confidence cannot be used to oust the Prime Minister. Plus, the President doesn’t have enough support to win. Who would take his position, even if he could be dismissed?

It seems that PM will not listen to his party and ask for the dissolution of parliament immediately. For that, he can only be sacked as a UMNO member. Not exactly a confidence-booster for the party in an election year and a very risky way to take. Then, what’s next?

Clearly, Ismail Sabri is caught in a dilemma situation as well. If he dissolves the parliament right away, his leverage is gone. He can be replaced. If he agrees to dissolve, UMNO’s President, Zahid won’t select any of his allies in the cabinet cluster to run for office in the UMNO. Ismail Sabri is politically dead if he lives alone.

Furthermore, if he doesn’t call for an early general election as desired by his party, his supporters, even including himself, will not be chosen as candidates, anyway!

The squabble between the two camps is impossible for one side to truly harm the other without also harming himself.

The longer the poll is delayed, the riskier it becomes for UMNO, which is an overwhelming potential momentum loss. Ismail Sabri can be more damaging to UMNO every day he serves as prime minister, implementing measures like eliminating food subsidies that do not endear UMNO to the suffering of people.

Ismail Sabri is seeking a compromise in which the selection of candidates will include his supporters and his continued appointment as prime minister following UMNO’s victory at PRU15 would be ensured.

But by whom? Since the power to do that is lay on the President’s hand, it seems impossible.

If Zahid gives in to that demand, he will hand over the presidency to Ismail Sabri, who will be the incumbent Prime Minister. That is most certainly the beginning of Zahid’s demise as a significant political entity.

Will the rakyat or the country be the key determinant in whatever decision UMNO makes?

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance.