Umno would likely play a secondary role if it revives its political cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional (MN), according to political analyst Yusri Ibrahim.
The Ilham Centre head researcher said both parties compete for the same segment of Malay voters, but argued that PAS currently enjoys stronger support than Umno among the electorate.
He likened the situation to football, saying that even the best players lose their edge when they spend too much time on the bench.
PAS seen as stronger among Malay voters
Yusri said a renewed political alliance between PAS and Umno would leave the latter serving only as a supporting partner rather than an equal force.
‘Therefore, a political pact between PAS and Umno would leave the latter as a mere complement. When footballers are forced to warm the bench, even the greatest players would lose their sting over time,’ he wrote in a Facebook post.
Speculation over a possible revival of Muafakat Nasional intensified after PAS announced earlier this week that it had ended its political cooperation with Bersatu.
Meeting between PAS and Umno leaders fuels speculation
Last week, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that senior leaders from the Islamic party had met with their counterparts in Umno, although he did not disclose details of the discussions.
However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dismissed the possibility of reviving Muafakat Nasional, stating that the party had no intention of restoring the alliance in any form and had already ‘closed the book on it’.
Cooperation possible outside politics
Despite his reservations about a political partnership, Yusri said Umno and PAS could still work together in other areas, including efforts to strengthen the Bumiputera economy and improve the quality of public education.
He maintained, however, that any formal political alliance would favour PAS because both parties are competing for influence among the same voter base.
‘When it comes to cooperating in a political alliance, with both parties fighting for influence over the same segment of voters, PAS will dominate the arena and Umno will be on the losing end,’ he said.
