Big tent Umno bursting at the seams ahead of party polls

SHAH ALAM - The Umno party polls expected to be held later this year is likely to see a battle fought between two main factions, at least in the party's Youth Wing.

Party insiders have indicated the existence of several camps however the most prominent is divided between progressives who support Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan and the conservatives that are aligned to Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Speaking to Sinar Daily, Umno Youth vice-chief Akmal Saufi Mohamed Khaled confirmed the existence of these camps and argued that it was normal for factionalism or infighting for a party as big as Umno.

However, Akmal Saufi dismissed the assertion that both leaders would clash over who should lead the party's Youth wing, at least for the time being.

"That is not the focus of the party right now, as both of the aforementioned leaders are focused on the predicament of the people. Both speak from the heart when addressing the concerns of the people.

He also said that there is nothing more important than winning the coming general election (GE15).

“No one is above the party and we must abide by the party’s decision. This has always been the way for us here in Umno Youth, we are not fanatics,” he said.

Umno Youth exco member Ikmal Hazlan Ikmal Hisham also dismissed assertions of these two factions clashing as both leaders “work well together”.

“We also have no idea where they are headed in the near future. Asyraf Wajdi may be moving up the ladder.

“Similarly, Shahril might contest or stay on as the deputy Youth chief. If they were to go head to head, I hope it’s a friendly battle,” he said.

Ikmal also shared that Umno’s stance on Pas is “very telling” as the latter party is not present during Umno's annual general assembly this year.

According to him, the real concern is whether holding an election as soon as possible will go against the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both of which had been consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong “I have to disagree with holding the election earlier as we have reached an understanding with the opposition parties that will last until July 31.

“But I do understand that there is a good chance that we can win GE15, based on our big wins in the Melaka and Johor state elections,” he said.