00:01Analysts say shifting further to the right is unlikely to pay off for UMNO and Barca
00:05Nacional, warning that it could cost the coalition both its non-Malay partners and its footing
00:10in urban seats.
00:12Hisumuddin Bakar of Ilham Centre said the move appears more focused on strengthening
00:16UMNO's position in Malay-majority seats than reflecting a broader BN strategy.
00:22He said UMNO is likely attempting to challenge Perikata Nacional's dominance by offering
00:27a similar right-leaning narrative to reclaim segments of the Malay electorate that once
00:32formed its traditional support base.
00:34Meanwhile, Asmil Taip of University Science Malaysia said, UMNO cannot beat PN and its
00:39own game on Malay Muslim identity politics, as those who believe in Malay Islamic supremacy
00:45would still support PN, which is seen as more genuine.
00:49They were responding to recent comments by former minister Kairi Jamaluddin that there
00:54is still room for the old political script championed by UMNO youth chief, Dr. Akmal Saleh,
00:59even as the party seeks to modernize.
01:01Kairi said UMNO President Ahmad Zayed Hamidi may be tolerating Akmal's controversial politics
01:07because of the clear and present danger on the right posed by PN.
01:10Kairi Jamaluddin said UMNO's old image as defender of religion, race, and homeland is no longer
01:16enough and UMNO youth should rebuild a fresher political narrative that speaks directly to
01:21the aspirations and frustrations of contemporary Malay youth.
01:25Donish Rogeriza, FMT.
Comments