KUALA LUMPUR: Following Barisan Nasional - Umno's (BN-Umno) dismal performance in the six state elections, the coalition continues to swallow the bitter pill that the once-dominant party in the Malaysian political landscape is no longer the main choice among the Malay community.
This was demonstrated in its failure to put up a decent fight to stem the green wave in the Malay heartland states, as the party only managed to win 19 seats out of the 108 it contested.
Meanwhile, a study conducted by the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) revealed that one-third of BN's voters had switched their support to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the recent six state elections.
Based on the study, NASR highlighted that BN had failed to retain the support of its supporters, even in the constituencies they contested previously.
Following this, analysts believe that in its bid to return as a dominant political party in the country, BN must continue to champion the rights of the people, particularly the struggles of the Malays, in order to stay relevant.
They, however, had differing beliefs about BN's survival in the upcoming 16th general election (GE16) if the party failed to gain the people's trust.
According to Universiti Teknologi Mara's Centre of Media and Information Warfare Studies political analyst, Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, one way of doing it is to focus on Malay and Islamic elements, which are reflected in the Federal Constitution and the pillars of the National Principles (Rukun Negara).
"One of the ways that the party could be dominant again among the Malay supporters is to basically focus more on micro-operative elements in the issues faced by the Malays and Islam as a religion in the country.
"Hence, BN, basically, Umno must aggressively address these issues and champion these fundamental elements that are supposed to reflect the nature of the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara principles.
"However, they need to ensure that they maintain stability and the harmonious element in the country, without forgoing any factors that can dampen or breach the constitution," he said.
Political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said BN could be revived if structural reform is done in the party to ensure its relevance among the Malays, particularly the younger generation.
"In order to be the dominant party among the Malays, Umno must change and always champion the cause of the Malays and the people of Malaysia in general.
"At the same time, the leadership change must be done in the next party election, where more younger leaders should be given prominent positions to ensure relevance to the Malays, especially the younger generation," he said.
Ainul added that the party would be buried after GE16 if it failed to gain the confidence of the Malays, adding that the party should continue its cooperation with PH to gain the people's mandate.
"The party will definitely be irrelevant in the country's political landscape after GE16 if nothing is done.
"People want to see a change in Umno and this includes a planned formation with its other component parties, MIC and MCA to recapture the people's trust, aside from forming an alliance with PH to gain the people's mandate."
However, Noor Nirwandy said BN's irrelevancy could only depend on the people's capability, particularly its Malay grassroots supporters, to adapt to new values.
"This is because the representations of the issue have to be looked at in terms of more factual elements and achievements rather than speculation or perceptions that happen in what we have seen in some situations today.
"There also needs to be a strong and factual element portrayed by Umno on what they have done and what they are doing to regain support and for them to become popular again and become the dominant party in the next election."