The electorate may have shown a desire for change during May 9 polls, but the Umno members’ decision to choose Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as their new leader signals that the party’s flavour is unlikely to change any time soon.

Several political analysts contacted by Malaysiakini predicted that Umno under Zahid will likely remain combative and focus on communal issues, as opposed to wider policies, in a bid to compete with the more centrist Pakatan Harapan.

Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian believed that with Zahid at helm, Umno will likely seek greater cooperation with PAS, as both share the same target market – rural and conservative Malays...