Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Umno needed to undergo a holistic transformation in this period for the party to be able to stand on its own.

“In the long term, Umno would want to be the main player in alliances instead of just supplementing other parties,” he told FMT, adding that dominance was almost a part of Umno’s identity.

To regain that dominance, he said, Umno must strengthen its respective wings and grassroots, and introduce changes that would both improve its integrity and offer a fresh, inclusive narrative to voters.

Partnering with Pakatan Harapan for the 16th general election would be crucial to maintaining the party’s relevance in the short term.

Awang Azman said this would be a pragmatic move to ensure political stability.

“This collaborative approach can rebuild the people’s confidence in Umno’s ability to be part of the solution to national issues, rather than a source of conflict within the government,” he said.

Rabi’ah Aminudin of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Umno must carry out internal reforms as its image has been tied to corruption and money politics, which must be repaired.

If it can overcome that, then BN-Umno would be able to regain its past dominance, she said.

BN and PH leaders have repeatedly said that their pact would continue in GE16.

On Wednesday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition’s strategies for the general elections that follow may change, depending on the electoral performance of the parties in the alliance.

BN played a crucial role in enabling Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to form the unity government in the wake of the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung Parliament.

PH had won 81 parliamentary seats, while BN won 30, in its worst electoral performance to date.