UMNO-PAS cooperation only to seize Anwar's power, using Malay unity as excuse – Amanah

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 AUGUST 2026 —

Malaysian Opposition Alliance Seen as Tool to Oust Anwar, Analysts Say

In a statement Friday, Amanah Youth Secretary Ahmad Shahir Mohd Shah questioned how the two parties could reconcile their cooperation with their stated principles, suggesting the alliance may be purely transactional. “Is their cooperation only about gaining power first, then discussing principles later?” he said.

The criticism follows UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s earlier assertion that Barisan Nasional (BN) would not cede any of the 21 state seats it won in the 2021 Melaka state election to other parties. Analysts at Ilham Centre noted that if parliamentary votes were distributed by state constituencies, PN would have won in 10, while BN secured only four. This raises concerns over PN’s push for additional seats, potentially threatening BN’s hold on its 21 Melaka seats in future contests.

Ahmad Shahir also highlighted that the current PAS-UMNO cooperation appears centered on Malay unity rhetoric, but lacks clarity on which Malay segments are being targeted. “We don’t know which Malay group they’re trying to unite. It seems like they’re using this as a political tool,” he said.

He argued that the alliance should be viewed as a political strategy to consolidate power against Anwar’s government, rather than a sincere effort at Malay unity.

The cooperation comes amid shifting political dynamics in Malaysia, where PN—led by PAS and Bersatu—has emerged as a major opposition force. UMNO, a BN component, has historically positioned itself as the dominant Malay party, but recent electoral setbacks have intensified intra-coalition tensions.

Analysts say the alliance reflects a pragmatic shift, where ideological alignment takes a backseat to electoral and power-sharing calculations. The focus appears to be on maximizing parliamentary representation, particularly in Malay-majority areas, ahead of the next general election.

For Malaysia’s political landscape, the PAS-UMNO cooperation could reshape opposition strategies, potentially creating a more unified Malay bloc. However, internal disagreements over seat allocations and leadership roles remain a key challenge.

The long-term viability of the alliance will depend on whether it can move beyond short-term power calculations and address deeper ideological and policy differences. Until then, the partnership risks being seen as opportunistic rather than principled.