News analysis

As Umno rebrands, safety-first approach could be its undoing

By not heeding calls to reform, and ignoring youthful challengers, party may doom itself

Mr Khairy Jamaluddin with his father-in-law and former Malaysian premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Mr Khairy Jamaluddin with his father-in-law and former Malaysian premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN
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Rebranding, rather than reforming.

The direction chosen by Umno after its internal polls last week underpins the belief that the party is still strong and influential at its core, despite losing federal power for the first time in its history.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 04, 2018, with the headline As Umno rebrands, safety-first approach could be its undoing. Subscribe