Barisan Nasional supporters hold BN flags and banners for their candidates contesting in Dewan Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri, Skudai April 28, 2018. — Picture by Hari Anggara

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is currently in disarray as it has yet to unite as one strong federal Opposition.

The major parties with Umno as the backbone — namely MCA and MIC — are struggling to pick up the pieces. Their respective presidents Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has voiced his intention to step down, while Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has already stepped down as party chief.

Their abrupt departures leave both parties disorganised and in dire need of guidance and leadership.

And for Umno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi does not seem to be in a hurry to cement his position as the party’s top leader, as other candidates have openly stated their desire to lead the Malay nationalist party.

Time is running out fast as the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will have to convene the first parliamentary sitting — within 60 days from the day the government was formed — which now leaves about one month for the Opposition BN to choose its Parliament leader.

Traditionally, the Opposition chief is from the Opposition party that has the most seats.

In this case, it is Umno but Zahid has yet to call for the coalition’s supreme council meeting to iron out matters and endorse him as the Opposition leader.

Zahid himself is surrounded by internal problems, and has shied away from showcasing leadership qualities by not getting involved with the Perlis mentri besar crisis.

With Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad opening their doors to new members, Umno may find its membership greatly reduced in the near future, especially if their leaders do not act.

At present, ideas for, comments on or criticisms of the current Dr Mahathir administration seem to be coming from within PH itself, and not BN, save for the latter’s communication unit which is basically run by Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

In fact, the loudest critic of the PH government right now is none other than ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who has since relinquished his post as Umno president.

If Umno, and by extension BN, does not get its act together, Malaysia is set to have a federal government with literally no strong Opposition.

PAS cannot be relied on to act as a credible Opposition as its issues are usually limited to Islamic affairs.

The onus is now on Umno and BN to quickly close ranks, find new leadership and settle in to their new roles as Opposition MPs.