The Economist: Umno constitutes the biggest threats to political stability

All evidence seems to point against snap polls happening any time soon, with persisting uncertainty in support for the ruling BN coalition and a potential tussle between Umno's top two leaders, according to the 2011-2014 country report compiled by The Economist Intelligence Unit. The England-based news organisation pointed out that senior Umno leaders had indicated they were not confident that BN will perform well overall based on these two considerations - the hazy perception of support for their party and the extent to which coalition partners have rebuilt their support bases among non-Malays. It also cited concerns among Umno members that the BN's efforts to regain non-Malay support are being undermined by Malay rights group Perkasa, claiming the right-wing organisation is supported by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and current Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is a potential spanner in the works for Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak...The report stated that political intrigues within Umno, coupled with its determination to stay in power at all costs, therefore constitute the the biggest threats to political stability in Malaysia.