Youth Wing Demands Withdrawal from Anwar’s Coalition deepening crisis in Umno
Akmal Saleh Leads Call for Exit from Unity Govt, Reviving Malay Unity with PAS at Heated Convention but Najib’s shadow looms large on the party
UMNO is grappling with significant internal turbulence following the recent conviction and 15-year sentencing of former prime minister Najib Razak in the main 1MDB trial, which has compounded the party’s longstanding challenges.
The Youth wing, led by the outspoken Dr Akmal Saleh, has intensified pressure on the leadership by organising a special convention on January 3, 2026, to debate UMNO’s continued participation in the Madani unity government.
Akmal has vocally advocated for withdrawing support from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition and forging closer ties with PAS, emphasising the need for Malay unity and accusing coalition partners of crossing “red lines” on issues involving race, religion, and the monarchy.
But it is the Najib factor that is probably pushing the wing to seek a new direction for Umno.
However, the party’s top leadership, including president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, appears cautious about abruptly exiting the government, recognising the stability it provides amid ongoing legal scrutiny—for Zahid himself and the party at large.
The Najib Factor
Centring UMNO’s identity and future around securing Najib’s release or pardon carries substantial risks. It could further erode the party’s credibility, already tarnished by the 1MDB scandal, which played a pivotal role in the massive voter erosion that contributed to Barisan Nasional’s historic defeat in 2018.
Today, UMNO faces a diminished voter base, exacerbated by internal splits—many former members and leaders having defected to Perikatan Nasional—and perceptions of weakened leadership under Zahid, who has been criticised for failing to shield Najib from prolonged imprisonment.
The party is arguably in a more precarious position now than in 2018, when it narrowly lost power to Pakatan Harapan under Mahathir Mohamad.
For long-term survival amid this turbulence, UMNO might consider revisiting the Muafakat Nasional charter with PAS, which was abandoned ahead of the 2022 general election.
While recent calls from Akmal and some PAS figures have revived discussions on this front, any realignment must be weighed carefully against electoral realities.
Remaining in the Madani government alongside Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan offers stability but may not stem the loss of traditional Malay support, particularly as coalition dynamics remain strained.
Other strategic options include holding internal party elections to inject fresh leadership and new directions, potentially revitalising the organisation.
Ultimately, transforming UMNO into a vehicle solely dedicated to Najib’s unconditional rehabilitation—such as readmitting him prominently—would likely accelerate the decline in public trust and voter support, alienating moderates and non-Malays while failing to fully recapture the conservative base. A balanced, forward-looking approach is essential for the party’s renewal.