Malaysia’s Once-Dominant UMNO to Work With Political Rivals
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), from left, Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's prime minister, and Rafizi Ramli, Malaysia's economy minister, at the Malaysia Economic Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2025.
Photographer: Samsul Said/BloombergThe United Malays National Organization, a key member of Malaysia’s ruling coalition, is cooperating with the nation’s Malay-Muslim opposition parties, hinting at the possibility of a shift in alliances after the next general election.
In his closing speech to the party’s general assembly on Saturday, UMNO President Zahid Hamidi proposed the formation of a “grand collaboration” with opposition parties that draw from the same Malay-Muslim voter base. He’s pledged, though, to remain with the government until the next national vote, which is due by early 2028.