How long will it take for Umno members to accept the alliance with DAP?

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Umno Grassroots Acceptance of DAP Alliance Will Take Significant Time

A substantial portion of Umno members remain hesitant about the party's alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH), and it is anticipated that full acceptance will require more than just a few months. Decades of portraying the Democratic Action Party (DAP) as a political adversary have created deeply ingrained perceptions that are not easily dispelled. Even with Umno leaders now holding prominent positions within the unity government, the sentiment among grassroots members is varied, indicating a slow and uneven process of integration.
Persistent Scepticism Among Umno Members

An estimated one-third of Umno members continue to harbour scepticism regarding the partnership with PH in governing the nation. This sentiment persists despite the party's leadership acknowledging that the alliance with PH, and by extension DAP, provided a crucial lifeline following Umno's performance in the 15th general election. The historical vilification of DAP, which has been consistently presented as a political bogeyman for many years, has created a significant hurdle that cannot be overcome in a short period.
Uneven Acceptance and Lingering Hesitation

Acceptance of the alliance is not uniform across the Umno membership base. Even as Umno leaders occupy top government offices, the grassroots members exhibit a degree of hesitation. This unease extends beyond merely working with DAP to include being part of a unity government led by PH's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The notion of this partnership is reportedly not yet widely embraced by the broader membership, highlighting the depth of historical political conditioning.
Impact of Past Stigmatisation

The negative stigmatisation of DAP within Umno has contributed to the ongoing hesitation among members, even when leaders like Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan have publicly offered praise for the party. This deep-seated perception means that even association with figures like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who leads PH, has become stigmatised. Overcoming these long-standing negative portrayals is a complex challenge that requires sustained effort and time.
Strategic Considerations for DAP

From DAP's perspective, forming an alliance with Umno is viewed as a strategically sound transaction that could bolster its standing among Malay voters. Analysts suggest that DAP recognises the demographic realities, with the Chinese population constituting less than 25 per cent of the overall populace. Therefore, accepting power-sharing and viewing Umno as a strategic partner is seen as essential for strengthening the party's influence and securing the interests of the Chinese business community.

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How long will it take for Umno members to accept the alliance with DAP?

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