UMNO Must Rise Again: Confronting the Political Reality of 2024

The year 2023 has witnessed numerous significant events in Malaysian politics, and a pressing question for 2024 is whether UMNO remains relevant. Many political observers assert that UMNO’s current position is at its lowest, needing time and concerted effort to recover after enduring a series of prolonged setbacks.

Reflections and Predictions from the Past

Veteran journalist and writer Pak Husin Yaakob, also known by his pen name Ibnu Muslim, predicted the decline of UMNO and BN during the peak of the Reformasi movement in 1998 and 1999. His book, “BN Akan Berkubur” (“BN Will Be Buried”), foresaw the challenges ahead for UMNO, even when the party was at the pinnacle of its success.

Personal Experiences and Historical Moments

I had the privilege of knowing Pak Husin, who was deeply involved with the Reformasi movement alongside the late activist Pak Din Gayung. During that time, I was also close to the late Datuk Seri Salahudin Ayub, a dear friend who was always ready to help those in need. I will never forget his kindness, especially when he visited me after I suffered a minor stroke, just days before his passing.

Recalling my experiences with Pak Husin, I vividly remember being amidst a sea of people when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) spoke at Masjid Negara at the start of the Reformasi movement. Pak Husin remarked that in his lifetime, he had never seen such a massive gathering—estimated at over 250,000 people in Kuala Lumpur. This sight reinforced his belief that UMNO and BN would face a powerful people’s movement capable of altering history. The crowd was mesmerized by DSAI’s impassioned calls for reform.

The Struggle and Survival of UMNO

It is hard to imagine the joy Pak Husin and Pak Din would have felt seeing DSAI eventually trusted to lead the nation as the 10th Prime Minister. Pak Husin’s book, “BN Akan Berkubur,” which we managed to present to DSAI after his release from prison, was written when UMNO and BN were still at their zenith. At that time, the idea of UMNO and BN falling from power seemed implausible.

Yet, history has proven otherwise. UMNO found itself on the brink of dissolution, with a letter to disband the party allegedly on the desk of then-Home Minister Tan Sri Mahiadin Yasin. Fortunately, a “hidden hand” acted swiftly to save UMNO from being erased from the political landscape. UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed at the UMNO General Assembly that an attempt to ban the party was thwarted, thanks to an unnamed savior, widely believed to be DSAI.

The Road Ahead for UMNO

Today, UMNO faces immense challenges. Without concrete efforts, many political analysts predict UMNO’s demise, potentially facing its “Waterloo” in the upcoming General Election. DSAI’s advice to UMNO should be taken seriously—party members must engage with grassroots members and the public to clarify various issues, especially the party’s relationship with DAP. By doing so, UMNO can arrest its decline.

With the 16th General Election approaching, UMNO must act immediately and consistently to remain relevant. This is the time for UMNO’s branches and divisions, particularly those defeated previously, to rise and reclaim the support of the younger generation.

Questions for UMNO’s Future

What programs have been planned to win back the people’s hearts? Waiting until the election period to organize forums, conventions, and other activities might be too late. We must acknowledge that UMNO’s adversaries are relentless in their efforts to eliminate the party. A BERSATU leader once claimed that the party’s objective to replace UMNO was achieved after winning 70 out of 112 Malay-majority seats in the 15th General Election.

Now is the time for UMNO to act.