Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Umno Youth leader said the grassroots would prefer to “go solo” instead.
The source cited several reasons for this preference, including the government’s privatisation plans for Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and the recent targeted subsidy scheme for diesel.
Quoting sources, FMT had recently reported unhappiness among the grassroots with Putrajaya over these issues.
The grassroots were said to believe that the targeted subsidy scheme should have been deferred, while the proposal to privatise MAHB has come under scrutiny due to the involvement of Global Infrastructure Partners, which is in the process of being acquired by a firm with alleged ties to Israel.
The youth leader said other issues contributing to the uneasiness included the rising cost of living and the fall in ringgit value.
“This makes us uncomfortable about working alongside PH because it makes it difficult for us to explain these issues to our supporters.”
The youth leader also referred to the recent announcement that Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia top scorers would be admitted to matriculation programmes regardless of race.
While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said that the decision for “a balanced approach” was to reduce tension in the education system, the source said it had put the Malay-based party in an awkward position.
“We are supposed to speak up for Malay interests. How do we balance this and, at the same time, promote the policies of the unity government?”
Maintaining that the grassroots would not desert Umno to join Perikatan Nasional (PN), the source nevertheless said that they might end up supporting the opposition coalition in elections.
“Even now, you can see that the Malay and Umno votes have already swung to PN due to dissatisfaction with PH.”
Another Umno grassroots leader agreed that it had not been easy convincing party members to work with PH at the next election.
The leader from Pahang said they had agreed to join forces due to the circumstances after the 15th general election which resulted in a hung parliament.
“But to contest a general election alongside PH will make many unhappy and vote against Umno.”
He, too, said that many members hoped the party would go solo, or work with its allies in Barisan Nasional (BN).
“We should think about reviving the party rather than joining forces with someone else.”
Zahid, the BN chairman, reiterated on Sunday that the unity coalition would face the next general election together albeit with components contesting under their own banners.
PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in March however that the ruling coalition had yet to decide on the matter.