Assembly participation is sign of respect from GPS to UMNO

KUCHING: The upcoming general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which is a part of the Unity Government, will be attended by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as a sign of respect.
 
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos opined that, all in all, things will go on as usual with the outcome of the said assembly.
 
“The party’s top leaders will still hang on and UMNO’s policies will still persist, but from what I have heard and read from my friends in UMNO, many of its members are not too happy and pleased with their leaders for getting too close to the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
 
“We know that UMNO for decades has not been friendly with DAP for many reasons; hence, there is expected to be ‘underground grumblings’ in this upcoming general assembly,” he said when contacted by the New Sarawak Tribune today (June 4).
 
Adding on, he also pointed out that reports and speculation indicated that it would be very tough for UMNO to win voters in the six states ahead of the elections.
 
“For example, UMNO now has to follow Pakatan Harapan (PH), especially the dominant Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) directives on the number of candidates to be fielded, and UMNO has no more free say as before.
 
“In addition, the many good people that UMNO leaders sacked and/or suspended previously will not be around to help or render support.
 
“A currently wounded UMNO with internal problems will find life very difficult in the coming state elections.”
 
Having said that, Minos viewed it as too late for UMNO to make amends or cure members’ moods and sentiments for the coming state elections.
 
“I would say that this will be very tough for UMNO and a very trying time for its leaders at all levels.
 
“What adversely affects UMNO will surely affect PH in some indirect ways and the unity government as a whole. It will pose difficulties of sorts for the Prime Minister and his PH team,” he said.
 
He stated that the Prime Minister and PH repeatedly said Malaysians should not think and act in terms of or based on race.
 
“But in reality, in the Peninsular, the majority are Malays, and they are not happy with DAP and what DAP did to them in the past.
 
“Therein is the basic problem in the Peninsular, and this will take years to cure and heal, if ever.
 
“Looking around and looking back, we in Sarawak do not have the racial problem as seen and heard in the Peninsular. As such, we are really happy and truly grateful for that,” he added.