Political tensions have been soaring within Malaysia’s ruling coalition as leaders of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the largest party within the coalition, called for fresh elections on Wednesday, with UNMO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi demanding to hold a general election “as soon as possible.” Party members have been divided about conducting a general election to overthrow the 8-month-old government, with the main point of contention being whether such a large-scale election should be conducted amidst the rising COVID-19 cases. The recent calls for elections are not surprising as criticism over the failure to deliver on promised reforms and tussle between member parties for power have both been constant.
UMNO’s intra-party rivalry came at play as Zahid fired Annuar Musa, a pro-government cabinet minister, from his party position earlier this week, for supporting the current government’s bid to stay in power. Musa had spoken out against any attempts to bring down the government, specifically in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “I wasn’t comfortable with the repeated talks of dissolving parliament,” said Annuar at a press conference. “We shouldn’t be talking about an election when the people are so worried about Covid-19.”
Before the UNMO meeting that happened on Wednesday night, Foreign Affairs Minister, Minister Hishammuddin Hussein of the UMNO party, had also advised the party to refrain from making a hasty decision. “If the party decides that all UMNO ministers must resign, I will obey and resign,” said Hishammuddin on Wednesday. “If the party decides not to continue working with Bersatu, it must decide who UMNO will work within the next election.”
Additionally, some others are also apprehensive of what this will mean for Malaysia’s pandemic woes. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also a member of UNMO, said that “holding a vote during an outbreak was irresponsible”. “I know among those asking for an immediate election are people from my own party,” Khairy said on Wednesday.
The concerns are not baseless. Snap polls could significantly exacerbate Malaysia’s virus woes, which it is already struggling to contain. Only in September, a new wave of cases was fueled by a state election held in one of its COVID hotspots. Further, in an effort to satiate members of the coalition, Muhyiddin had even said last November that he intends to conduct a general election once the pandemic was under control. This statement came following the “difficult and challenging situation” faced by his Perikatan Nasional (PN) government which is in a slim majority in the coalition and has consistently faced calls for a fresh election by UMNO.
The calls for fresh elections come as the relationship between Prime Minister (PM) Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu party and UMNO, his key partner and ally, have steadily taken a downturn, with UNMO even threatening to pull out of the coalition last October. Despite the hardships, Yassin was able to pass the crucial test of passing the national budget in November 2020.
This continued political crisis adds to the many issues being faced by the Malaysian government. Political analysts have said that no other prime minister has faced so many political challenges. While all other prime ministers before him have enjoyed undivided support from their coalitions, Muhyiddin heads the fragile Perikatan Nasional pact that does not include UMNO and Barisan Nasional, yet depends on both to remain in power. Conducting fresh elections may only worsen the public health situation if a new government does come to power.
Intra-Coalition Rivalry in Malaysia Stirs Chaos as UMNO Party Calls For Snap Elections
In a move that illustrates the enduring tensions within Malaysia’s government, the leader of UMNO, the largest party within the ruling coalition, has called for elections.
January 8, 2021
SOURCE: SAMSUL SAID/BLOOMBERG