00:00Two political analysts agree that UMNO can no longer rely on its leading role in securing
00:07independence for the country as the basis for expecting continued support from Malay voters.
00:14Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani said UMNO has progressively lost support since the 13th
00:19general election as Malays pivoted away from party loyalty to select candidates capable of
00:25addressing local issues effectively. Asrul said although religion may seem
00:31important to Malay voters, what truly matters to them are economic opportunities,
00:36the cost of living, education, and a chance for a better life.
00:41Recently, former UMNO treasurer Saleh Syed Keruak said in order for UMNO to regain Malay
00:46voter support, the party needs to choose between the narrative that Malays owe UMNO for independence
00:52and special assistance or that UMNO owes Malays for 60 years of support.
00:58Asrul added that to restore voter confidence, UMNO must rebuild from the ground up by addressing
01:04grassroots concerns, conducting door-to-door campaigns, and eliminating the stigma of
01:09corruption within the party. Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan from the National Council of Professors
01:15said UMNO can no longer expect the indebtedness of the Malay community
01:19to automatically translate into votes for the party.
01:23He said the party should focus on what it can offer voters in future elections
01:28and not dwell on past glories.
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