KUALA LUMPUR – The Barisan Nasional (BN) linchpin has to revive its grassroots support by going into elections without political cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and DAP, said Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil.
He said this is not due to “propaganda indoctrination” but the opposing struggles of both parties as DAP fights for “Malaysian Malaysia” that wants “equality”, which means the elimination of Malay privileges.
“This is a fundamental issue for Umno. It is not trivial or a pragmatic issue that can be ‘white-washed’ or ‘brainwashed’ just like that.
“If we force our grassroots to abandon their fundamental struggles in Umno, they will lose faith and leave the party.”
He added that DAP’s continued promises to uphold Malay privileges is meaningless if it stands by the Malaysian Malaysia agenda.
“One day when they are in power and have more seats and we rely on their votes, I am not surprised if it (DAP) implements the Malaysian Malaysia agenda,” Isham said in a Facebook post today.
He claimed that eight out of 10 Malay voters no longer vote for BN or its alliances, and nine out of 10 Umno grassroots members abstain from voting or voted for Perikatan Nasional.
“This is why we lost in 90% of the seats we contested in the nine state elections, and lost 27,000 supporters in the (Johor) by-elections. Only 20% of Malays support Umno.
“If things do not change, Umno stands to perish come the next general election.
“We can remain in the unity government as per Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree but we stand in the polls as Barisan Nasional.”
Earlier this month, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party did not need to abandon its secular nation agenda and its “Malaysian Malaysia” slogan – as an agreement among federal unity government component parties has been reached on the matter.
“What matters is that we have formed a government and are working together on several parameters. The most important thing is that we defend the federal constitution and basic issues that are of concern to the Malays.
“This includes upholding Islam as the federal religion, Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, Article 153 (safeguarding the special position of the Malays and natives) as well as the position of the Malay rulers.”
Loke also said that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was pleased with DAP’s explanation on its principles prior to the formation of the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman.
Previously, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed urged DAP to amend its policies in order to secure support from Malay voters through its partnership with Umno.
Nur Jazlan asserted that DAP will be unable to win over Malay voters unless it drops its secular nation agenda and the “Malaysian Malaysia” slogan. – September 11, 2023