SHAH ALAM - Incumbent Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has a 50-50 chance of winning and retaining his presidency in the upcoming Umno election, analysts say.
Universiti Putra Malaysia political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan said there were chances for Zahid to be the president again but he has yet to show any efforts towards making changes in the party.
"In the current political scene in the country, Zahid faces real challenges to prove himself worthy of the post as Umno seeks a leader to revive the party.
"He may be a good leader, but he has not shown that he can do it," he told Sinar Daily.
Jayum said that former Rembau member of parliament Khairy Jamaluddin and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob could challenge Zahid for the presidency post.
"Zahid's saving grace might perhaps be that there has not been a popular or dominant individual who has come out to offer themselves to help change and revive Umno.
"So far, Khairy and Ismail Sabri might pose a challenge for the presidency post," he added.
However, Jayum opined that it is a critical time for Umno to have new leadership that can rejuvenate the party.
Failure to elect a group or new and dynamic leadership will impact the future survival of Umno as a Malay party, he added.
Meanwhile, Azizudin said that most of the debates were about Umno's survival in the future, championing their efforts and giving commitment to the Unity Government.
"Umno survival and party election are among the issues discussed in the assembly this time.
"Other than that, there should be focus on their role in ensuring economic prosperity, bringing more investors to Malaysia, providing job opportunities to youths.
"There are many young voters who didn't want to vote for Umno in GE15, so this is the right time for them to prepare jobs or incentives for youths to win them back," he opined.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Zahid has high chances of becoming the Umno president because he has successfully garnered the support from delegates of the party.
If Zahid decides to continue as president, I think he will win because most of the delegates will support him.
"Zahid is among the top leaders in the country, and is also the Deputy Prime Minister. He has the support of the federal government as well.
"So the possibilities for Zahid to win as the Umno president are high," he added.
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Senior Fellow of the National Professors Council Professor Dr Jeniri Amir, meanwhile, said it is not going to be easy to contest against Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, as he has the strong support of the delegates.
On the debate session at the 2022 Umno general assembly, Jeniri said the debates were to convince and persuade the delegates to support the unity government.
"The assembly is basically to convince the delegates of the need to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) and form the unity government despite the previous campaign that rejected (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) and DAP during the 15th general election," he reasoned.