Political observers believe the Umno president has the advantage as he has more grassroots support.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 — Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has made his intentions clear in pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call for an early 15th general election , and political observers believe the Umno president has the advantage as he has more grassroots support.
“They’re using this powerful narrative that Najib was not afforded a fair trial and it looks like a good tool to be used to garner sympathy for Umno. That’s the reason during the meeting they did not disconnect themselves from Najib, rather using him as an icon even though he has been incarcerated.” Zahid’s reason for wanting an early GE is because Umno’s supreme council has demanded it to form a stable government, not one that needed the cooperation of the Opposition.
“As Ismail Sabri has scarcely any Umno grassroots support to start with, the grassroots are not likely to be divided significantly, but remain quite loyal and united around the mainstream faction,” he said.Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi had said that Umno does not need a poster boy for GE15, but his party members disagree with him.
“Their whole cohort has demonstrated irresponsible behaviour by playing up sentiments of the Umno grassroots against the institutions. Umno needs a new crop of leaders who display equanimity when decisions of the state go against their party interests. “It is harmful to prospects of Umno recovering from its present crisis. Ismail Sabri has defied expectations by appearing to be resolute on the limited reforms that he’s been able to push through, and civil society organisations like Bersih are grateful for whatever improvements he has done with his limited manoeuvring capacity,” he added.
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