The party says a solo bid can help it win up to 60 seats in the next election and give it leverage to decide on coalition partners
The maths is clear, at least to Umno – it needs to portray confidence that it is ready to get back into the driver’s seat after it was unceremoniously booted from power seven years ago on the back of widespread anger over rising living costs and allegations of systemic corruption in its ranks.
Now as the de facto Malay representation in Anwar’s rag-tag unity government, contesting independently would be the best way to prove that Umno has reclaimed its role as the pillar of Malay political power.
“Realistically we think we can win 50-60 seats in the next election,” a senior party leader told This Week in Asia, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
