AS Malaysia moves forward under the Madani government, striving for national unity and stability, one would expect political discourse to focus on governance, economic recovery, and national development.
Yet, instead of engaging in meaningful discussions, certain individuals remain trapped in the political battles of 2018, unable or unwilling to acknowledge the new realities that shape Malaysia today.
A recent degradation of Umno is a prime example of intellectual stagnation, riddled with provocative conjectures, logical inconsistencies, and selective memory.
Instead of presenting a balanced analysis, this critique of Umno reads like a thinly veiled political attack, written with the fervour of a disgruntled faction within the “de-facto” ruling party rather than an objective critique of Umno’s role in government.
In attempting to vilify Umno, these attacks have not only exposed their own partisan bias but also demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of Malaysia’s evolving political landscape.
The arguments are flawed, and they are a classic case of political myopia, where short-sighted narratives cloud objective judgment, leading to miscalculations and misplaced criticisms.
Why Umno remains essential to Malaysia’s stability
If there is one undeniable fact about Malaysia’s current government, it is this: without Umno, there would be no Madani government.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration is built on the foundation of political pragmatism and vision of stability, a necessity in Malaysia’s fragmented political landscape.
Effective governance requires broad-based support, ensuring that Malaysia remains stable without the constant threat of political turmoil, as seen between 2018 and 2022, when government instability derailed national progress.
Umno’s presence in this administration is not a mere courtesy or political formality. It is a stabilising force, anchoring the coalition and ensuring that Malay-Muslim representation remains central to national governance.
Without Umno’s participation, key policy decisions would be shaped disproportionately by factions that do not necessarily truly empathise with the interests of Malaysia’s majority demographic.
The comparison with Bersatu’s role in Pakatan Harapan (PH) 1.0 is particularly telling. During its brief tenure in government, Bersatu failed to assert itself, struggled to protect Malay-Muslim interests, and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the administration.
Umno, on the other hand, has consistently played the long game, proving that experience, institutional strength, and grassroots support matter far more than temporary political gains.
Zahid’s political leadership
One of the most overlooked aspects of Umno’s role in the Madani government is how Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s leadership and influence shifted the party’s internal stance toward working with PH.
Initially, many within Umno resisted the idea of cooperation with their long-time rivals. However, Zahid’s strategic narratives and consistent messaging reframed the alliance as a necessary move for national stability and long-term political survival.
His ability to bridge the ideological divide between Umno and PH played a crucial role in convincing the party’s grassroots and leadership that unity was the only viable path forward. Without his influence, Umno could have remained trapped in internal resistance, further weakening itself while allowing Perikatan Nasional (PN) to consolidate Malay support.
Instead, Zahid positioned Umno as a key player in the government, ensuring that the party was not sidelined but rather a central force in shaping Malay-centric policies and governance.
Is Umno on life support?
One of the most persistent yet unsubstantiated claims that has been repeated since 2018 is the notion that Umno is a dying force, destined for irrelevance. This argument has been circulated so frequently that it has become a political cliché, yet reality continues to contradict it.
For all the confidence with which some declare Umno’s decline, one glaring omission consistently appears in their analysis: the results of recent by-elections, which remain the clearest indicator of a party’s strength among the electorate.
The victories in Pelangai, Nenggiri, and Mahkota were not anomalies, nor were they mere procedural wins.
These results reflect a party with a deeply rooted political machinery, strong community outreach, and voter confidence that cannot be dismissed by critics eager to write Umno’s obituary.
If Umno were truly in decline, it would not be securing decisive wins in these by-elections, reaffirming its position where it matters most.
Perhaps it is time for the “de-facto” ruling party to reflect on why, despite larger parliamentary representation, they failed to maintain momentum where it truly counted. Why did expectations fail to translate into electoral success? Why did grassroots support appear fragmented and uncertain? Why did the supposed dominance of others not materialise at the ballot box?
These are not rhetorical questions but realities that cannot be ignored. Winning elections is not about seat count alone but about sustaining voter trust, keeping political machinery active, and demonstrating the ability to govern beyond mere slogans. This is where Umno continues to thrive, proving that political resilience is measured by continued relevance, not outdated narratives. And with the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election, early findings suggest that Umno is on course for yet another victory—reinforcing the undeniable truth that it is far from the diminishing force its critics wish it to be.
Umno’s ministers: delivering tangible impact
A glaring flaw in this argument is the complete dismissal of Umno’s ministerial performance. In the eagerness to belittle Umno, critics tend to conveniently ignore that some of the most effective ministers in the current government are from Umno.
Zahid has spearheaded Malaysia’s TVET transformation, ensuring that Malay youths gain access to skills-based education and employment opportunities, strengthening the workforce and economic resilience.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, as Foreign Minister, has amplified Malaysia’s global presence, taking a strong stance on the Gaza crisis while also leading Asean diplomacy efforts ahead of Malaysia’s 2025 Asean Chairmanship.
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has led significant legal reforms, particularly in child protection laws, citizenship rights, judicial and parliamentary independence. Her leadership has been instrumental in fulfilling key PH reform promises, a fact that cannot be overlooked.
This list, of course, does not even include other remarkable Umno ministers such as Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin (Defence); Datuk Seri Johari Ghani (Plantation Industries and Commodities); Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir (Higher Education)and others who continue to work diligently in their respective portfolios, many of whom have earned praise from the public for their effectiveness and commitment to governance.
Despite being outnumbered in the cabinet, Umno’s ministers continue to make a greater impact than many of their counterparts. Perhaps it is time for those who are quick to criticise Umno to reflect on their own inefficiencies before casting stones. After all, the true test of leadership is not in making promises from the opposition benches, but in delivering results when in power.
Comparing Umno-led states vs PAS-led States
The claim that Umno is losing ground to PAS and Bersatu also lacks nuances.
While PAS has certainly gained support, its governance track record leaves much to be desired.
Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, under PAS, remain economically stagnant, plagued by poor infrastructure, weak industrial growth, and a lack of job opportunities.
Despite PAS’s electoral success, it has consistently failed to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the states it governs.
Compare this with Umno-led states such as Johor, Melaka, Pahang, and Perak, all of which have demonstrated far superior governance.
Johor has emerged as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), leveraging its strategic location and progressive policies to drive economic growth.
Meanwhile, Melaka continues to push forward infrastructure development, Pahang remains a stronghold of industrial expansion, and Perak has seen consistent improvements in governance and administration.
The contrast could not be clearer: Umno governs, while PAS stagnates.
A conveniently-timed attack coinciding with political parties’ internal elections
As political parties approach their internal elections, the attack on Umno appears to be a calculated move by certain factions still unwilling to accept their leader’s vision and leadership. Instead of strengthening the coalition, these groups continue to rely on outdated anti-Umno rhetoric.
Their focus is not on enhancing governance but on undermining their leader’s authority within their own party.
It is no secret that some within their party refuse to acknowledge political realities. They remain trapped in a 2018-style opposition mindset and fail to recognise that their leader’s leadership has not only stabilised the government but also positioned Malaysia for long-term economic and social reforms.
These factions should understand that his leadership has kept the government on course for meaningful progress, something that would be impossible if they persist in divisive and unrealistic politics.
Rather than sabotaging their own party from within, internal factions should rally behind their leader and trust his leadership. Attacking Umno serves no real purpose beyond fuelling instability, and it certainly does nothing to strengthen their party’s standing in government. The choice is clear. They can either support the leader who has brought stability and progress, or they can risk undoing everything that has been built in pursuit of personal agendas.
Umno remains central to Malaysia’s future
Umno is not a relic of the past, nor is it the dominant force it once was. There is no denying that Umno has faced significant setbacks, with its influence declining over recent years. However, it has not reached the point of no return. The party’s resilience, deeply rooted grassroots network, and recent electoral successes indicate that a revival is underway. The confidence in Umno is gradually returning, and its role in governance remains crucial to Malaysia’s political stability.
At a time when the country should be focusing on unity and rebuilding, publishing inflammatory and divisive articles serves only political opportunists. Umno leaders today must acknowledge past mistakes and work diligently to regain public trust.
This means distancing the party from scandals and controversies while proving its commitment to good governance, transparency, and reform. Umno cannot afford to repeat the missteps that once weakened it. It must evolve, embrace accountability, and deliver real results to the people. Malaysia deserves mature political discourse, not regurgitated political bitterness from those who refuse to move forward.
The future of Umno depends not just on its history, but on the actions of its current leaders. The path to resurgence is clear: stay focused on the people’s needs, uphold integrity, and work tirelessly to restore Umno’s standing as a trusted political force. – March 14, 2025
Raziz Rashid is a strategic communications consultant, former Head of Corporate Communications at the Prime Minister’s Department, and Chairman of Pertubuhan Sukarelawan Siber Selamat.