Umno now a political beggar, says Khairy

One-time Umno man Khairy Jamaluddin says his former party has become a "political beggar", with its future in doubt after losing the support of the Malays.

"Although Umno will continue to survive with its current leadership, it will be too embarrassed to live and unwilling to die. 

"It will be a life without dignity," he said in an interview with Singapore-based Mediacorp's Malay-language news channel.

He also said that Umno was now forced to rely on the goodwill of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in order to stay alive. 

"They won't die, but they have become a party that is very weak and which might remain as the third choice of the Malays," he added. 

Khairy, who once held the Cabinet portfolios of health and youth and sports, said Umno was also a liability to Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH), adding that their cooperation might further jeopardise the support of the Malays. 

He said this situation would benefit Perikatan Nasional (PN), as many Umno supporters would shift their support to the opposition pact instead. 

"The big question is whether Umno voters want to give their support to Umno-PH or PN," the former Rembau MP added. 

"I think 50% of them will turn their support to PN. They won't be willing to support Umno or PH." 

On the elections to be held in six states this year, Khairy said Umno and PH would find it difficult to rally support in the states current administered by PAS-PN.

He said the main focus at the polls would be the extent to which PN's influence would spread in the states under PH rule. 

"This is the wave in question – not a green wave, but a PN wave. 

"It will be interesting to see how far the PN wave can continue in Selangor. If they succeed in spreading their influence and support in Selangor, it will mean that they are no longer just parties in Malay strongholds."