Muhyiddin, Mukhriz may also quit, says analyst

Political analyst says Umno leadership now has to control grassroots from following in footsteps of former prime minister.

(FMT) – Umno’s top leadership must now control its grassroots from following in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in leaving the party.

Commenting on the former premier’s resignation from the country’s largest political party, political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Mahathir was still a well-loved and well-respected figure among the party’s grassroots.

This was why he said the challenge now was for Umno’s leadership to control the grassroots.

“However, whether or not Mahathir’s resignation will really result in a mass exodus remains to be seen,” said the lecturer from Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School for Social Science Studies.

Sivamurugan also believed suspended Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir would also leave Umno.

“I don’t see the three of them forming a new party or joining any other party. Perhaps they will form a vocal faction outside of Umno.”

Sivamurugan said it was likely they would stay out of Umno until party president and Prime Minister Najib Razak was no longer in power.

“I believe we will see a repeat of what Mahathir did when he resigned from the party when former Prime Minister Abdulah Ahmad Badawi was in power.”

Yesterday, Mahathir and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, quit Umno as a sign of protest against Najib’s administration.

He claimed Umno was no longer the same party as it was a party dedicated to protecting Najib.