Umno wants freedom to rebuild before GE16 pacts, say analysts
Umno leaders are resisting binding political pacts ahead of the next general election to maintain bargaining power and rebuild their electoral base. Analysts suggest that premature coalitions could trap the party in unfavorable seat allocations and hinder its recovery in Malay heartland areas.
Why it matters
Umno's strategic decision regarding coalitions will significantly impact the political landscape and power dynamics in Malaysia's upcoming general election.
Umno leaders say binding political pacts with other parties would deny Umno its bargaining power and would be unworkable in different parts of the country.
PETALING JAYA: Umno is deliberately avoiding binding political pacts ahead of the next general election, with analysts saying the party wants to rebuild its own electoral standing before locking itself into coalition arrangements it may later be unable to renegotiate.
An early binding pact would place Umno at risk of being trapped in a seat allocation that undersells its actual strength, and could entrench a "political dependency" on its allies rather than forcing the party to rebuild its Malay support base, said Awang Azman Pawi, a professor at Universiti Malaya.
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