Umno moving in for the kill

The most important event in Malaysia is Umno’s general assembly, not the general election.

It is there that the direction of Malaysia is determined instead of the ballot box.

And this time around, a seismic shift took place – somewhat under the radar – which could have massive repercussions in the future of politics in Malaysia.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and party delegates did not go full throttle in their racial messages to shore up support.

In a change of tack, Umno replaced their foul-mouthed attack with a more withdrawn message of Islam.

Past assemblies have seen presidents and delegates engage in chest-thumping, high octane speeches promoting Malay supremacy while vilifying the Chinese.

While I would be one of the last people giving credit to Umno for anything, this seems like a rather calculated move by dangling a carrot which has sent PAS’s tongues wagging.

If PAS bites, Umno could move in for the kill and eliminate two birds with one stone, making PAS redundant – as Umno will be seen to advocate for both race and religion – as well as throw the opposition off balance due to their indecision on PAS and Pakatan Harapan Rakyat.

Malaysia’s political scene has been dominated by race and religion since its inception.

Central to this has been Umno’s infatuation with race, and PAS’s urge to build a bridge between this land and heaven in their quest to realise “heaven on earth”.

However, neither has been able to champion both race and religion as part of its dogma.

Up to this point, Umno’s true rival has been PAS, not DAP and PKR, and certainly not Amanah.

It is relatively easy for Umno to dismiss DAP by labelling it a “Chinese party” due to its shackles on the mainstream media, while brushing off PKR as a familial organisation focused on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Voters who pick between Umno and PAS believe in either race or religion being the fulcrum of their lives.

Those who buy that message are not yet sold by DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” essence or PKR’s multiracial front.

The two opposition parties have spent a lot of effort focusing on urban areas where the progressive, non-racial ideology resonates with people.

Umno and PAS’s battleground, meanwhile, are based in semi-urban and more rural areas where people live completely different lives.

While there are naive people who deny it, PAS’s push for the shariah law is accepted by those in the east coast who have been raised with thinking along religious lines.

Ultimately, PAS’s vociferous push earlier this year for the sharia was borne out of opportunist politics akin to that of Umno, solidify its base instead of engaging in a high risk, high reward move after former opposition leader Anwar was incarcerated.

Now, it seems like Najib has taken a leaf out of PAS’s holy book.

He is now trying to close ranks and cement his support in Umno while having his back against the wall with critics from within, and also altering his party’s tune to appeal to PAS’s supporters.

With many of the thinkers of PAS now heading splinter group Amanah, the Islamist party is devoid of ideas and could bite the bait.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli says that PAS is vital due to its presence in rural areas, and while there is truth in that, Umno is also trying to appeal to a similar electorate.

Like a thoroughbred racehorse, Umno is waiting for the home stretch before striking with a lightning quick charge.

They have done it before. Who is to say they will not do it again? – December 16, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.