IT was the politics of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that played a major role in politically empowering both Umno and PAS.
UMNO was directly empowered through its participation in the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition and its allocation of plum ministerial and GLC (government-linked companies) positions while PAS benefited indirectly by riding the wave of Malay nationalism, particularly in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan (N9) state elections.
The two parties now appear keen to combine their political strengths to repeat their electoral performance in the forthcoming Melaka state polls.
Despite knowing UMNO’s vaulting political ambitions, Anwar failed to check its growing influence.
Instead, he joined forces with a party that was once his formidable political foe, thereby creating the conditions for UMNO to regain its political strength.
‘PMX should disrupt UMNO-PAS pact’
Yes, the relationship between Anwar and UMNO has deteriorated to the extent that the latter has been described as a Trojan horse within the Madani government.
Anwar failed to contain UMNO’s political ambitions, particularly those of its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
More than this, Zahid was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on 47 corruption and money-laundering charges.
Whether the Attorney-General will revive the case against Zahid remains to be seen although the political damage has already been done.
The opportunistic PAS has ridden on UMNO’s political strength, particularly in states where its own influence was previously marginal such as Johor and N9.
All indicators suggest that UMNO and PAS are seeking to consolidate their political gains and expand their influence.
Their growing cooperation raises questions about the future direction of Malaysian politics and the ability of the present government to contain the resurgence of Malay nationalist politics.
Anwar may be unpopular among sections of the Malay electorate and – to some extent – among non-Malays as well.
Nevertheless, he still commands considerable political power as PM to disrupt the consolidation of influence by the UMNO-PAS pact.
Lacking political will
Given Anwar’s political prevarication, however, it is difficult to determine whether he has the political will to tame the UMNO tiger.
PAS, meanwhile, is seeking a national comeback by riding on UMNO’s political popularity and organisational strength.
However, the question remains: at what point will PAS turn against UMNO when its own political ambitions are threatened?
It is not impossible to throw a spanner in the works of the UMNO-PAS political arrangement.
Anwar still holds the reins of power but the critical question is whether he will exercise that power in the larger interests of the nation as a whole.
Meanwhile, as the Melaka state election approaches, different political alignments may emerge.
The existing political configuration should not be taken for granted as parties may re-assess their alliances in pursuit of electoral advantage.
If the UMNO-PAS alignment cannot be checked in Melaka, the road to Putrajaya at GE16 (16th General Election) could become more challenging for the parties seeking to prevent their political ascendancy.
I am glad that PAS through what I regard as its selfish political calculations has more or less rendered the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition ineffective in its attempt to stem the political influence of Bersatu.
The larger question is whether Anwar will continue to allow his political accommodation of UMNO to strengthen the very forces that could eventually undermine his government.
His political choices today may have consequences far beyond Melaka by shaping the balance of power ahead of GE16. – Oct 13, 2026
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
