Organizer: Malaysia Studies Program, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Type/Location: Virtual

Description:

From independence until 2018, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) was the dominant party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Since its fall from power in 2018, key events have shaped UMNO’s structure, leadership and overall support. Today, the party sits in a large-tent coalition at the federal level (the Unity Government), is part of the state government in seven states and, of these, controls the position of Chief Minister in three.

Grappling with party factionalism and leadership gaps at the national level, UMNO in both Selangor and Malacca have also undergone significant leadership changes. Serious efforts are being made to strengthen state-level leadership, but these are still overshadowed by the gaps within the party’s central leadership.

As UMNO and Pakatan Harapan (PH) political operatives start to work together, there is some indication that this co-operation is beginning to coalesce although resistance from grassroots remains. Using the states of Selangor and Malacca as cases, this webinar examines UMNO’s current state of leadership, how the PH-BN coalition is currently being managed and how this relationship is being communicated to the grassroots.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Tricia Yeoh is Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s School of Politics and International Relations. She is currently Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Khairy Jamaluddin is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He has served as Minister for Youth and Sports, Science and Technology, and Health, and was also the Coordinating Minister for the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. Khairy is a three-term Member of Parliament and former Leader of UMNO Youth.

Registration:

To attend the event online, please register here.