Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin says the Malay rulers can play a key role in uniting Malay political parties—a move he believes would help reinforce the community’s dominance in the country.
He pointed to history as proof of the monarchy’s ability to unify Malays from across various states, referencing the successful resistance to the formation of the Malayan Union 80 years ago.
“The feudalism of the Malays—in recognising a ruler not only as a leader but as someone they trust—gave the monarchy an even greater role in uniting the community,” said the opposition leader.
“Look back to the opposition against the Malayan Union in 1946 — how Malays from Kelantan, Johor, Kedah and across the peninsula came together and eventually founded Umno.
“That happened because of the rulers’ involvement,” said Hamzah, who is also deputy chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said Umno may not have been formed had the Malays from the various states not united at the time.
Ever ready for an audience
Last week, FMT reported former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call for Malay parties to unite to secure the total backing of the Malay rulers.
Dr Mahathir, who served as the fourth and seventh prime minister, also warned that the division among the Malays would weaken the community and may also undermine the monarchy.
Hamzah said he was ready to appear before the Malay rulers to speak of the current situation, but stressed that other parties must also be willing to offer their cooperation.
“If all Malay parties can at the behest of the Conference of Rulers come together, I believe many future problems can be avoided, especially if this is done quickly.
“God-willing, the Malays will once again lead the country,” said the Larut MP.
Asked about potential cooperation with non-Malay parties should the next general election yield a similar outcome as in GE15, Hamzah said all sides must revisit how the unity government was formed after the 2022 polls.
He said a PN-Umno coalition government could be possible if proposed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Hamzah said Bersatu has already experienced working with DAP and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the past, referring to the 2018–2020 period when they shared federal power.
He said Umno is conflicted in its relationship with DAP.
“Just look at how Umno leaders speak: the president says one thing, the deputy another. There is no clear consensus.”
He said this was proven in the responses given by certain Umno leaders to DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming’s “UmDAP mantap” war cry during the recent Ayer Kuning by-election campaign.
“What did Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan say? That there is no such UmDAP alliance. Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan said the same.
“Do they even understand what an alliance means? Without it, this government wouldn’t exist,” he added.
