PH would benefit the most if DPM remains as Umno President - political analysts

SHAH ALAM - Pakatan Harapan would benefit the most if Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi remains as Umno President.

Universiti Teknologi Mara political analyst Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam said if Zahid manages to secure his presidency in the next Umno assembly, it wil definitely be an advantage to Pakatan Harapan.

" It is a fact, Pakatan Harapan has everything to gain if Zahid remains as Umno president," he told Sinar Daily.

Abdul Aziz added from the perspective of keeping a balanced composition in the unity government, maintaining Zahid's position as Umno president is good for political stability.

" However it remains to be seen whether he will have the support from his party members, as he has often gone rogue and made his own decisions, his unimpressive performance in GE15 could also be a huge factor to see whether party members still want him to helm the party." Abdul Aziz elaborated.

Echoing Aziz’s view, International Islamic University political analyst Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood agreed that Zahid has played a crucial role in the formation of the unity government.

"It definitely depends on who is taking over Umno, if a new president is elected and the individual is supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, it will further strengthen the current government, " he said.

Nik Ahmad also said it would still be an uphill battle for Zahid to secure his presidency in the party due to the many criminal charges made against him.

" It will be difficult for him as there is already a certain perspective of him in the party, even people who are not even Umno members feel that the party should be led by someone else, "

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political analyst Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin believed that Zahid may be in Umno for at least two more general elections.

“If Zahid is not sent to jail, he shall survive for another two elections,” he said.

International Islamic University political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri that Zahid is the glue that keeps the unity government together.

“Despite loud disagreements initially, Zahid went ahead to form the unity government with Anwar,” she said.

When asked about the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the coalitions under the unity government, she said that it is not fully binding.

"Although they have now signed an MoA, the agreement is not fully binding, and the next president may take Umno out of the government," she said.