By Tay Tian Yan, Sin Chew Daily

The winners:

1. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

As the Umno president, Ahmad Zahid has successfully championed his agenda to cover up his problems at the Umno assembly.

Ahmad Zahid's main agenda is to split Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

In his presidential address, he spent 80% of his time attacking Perikatan Nasional (PN), Bersatu and pro-Bersatu Umno leaders. Issues on Umno's reforms and development, matters related to man on the street and the nation were immaterial to him.

It gives an illusion that this was not an Umno assembly but a Bersatu-bashing party.

Zahid made the strong statement as if he was venting his personal frustration and anger at Bersatu, and this does not augur well for the president of a major political party in this country.

Anti-Bersatu and anti-PN sentiment has been brewing within Umno for some time now. Zahid's statements matched Umno delegates' agenda as the interest of these delegates clashed with Bersatu's at divisional level.

Hence, when Ahmad Zahid wanted to withdraw from PN, the delegates gave him a big standing ovation.

Ahmad Zahid had achieved his mission. Even if Umno did not quit PN immediately, the party president was given the green light at the general assembly, and the authority to discuss with PM Muhyiddin Yassin.

While all eyes were on Bersatu, the Umno delegates seemed to have forgotten about their own problems, including criminal charges faced by Ahmad Zahid, the weak leadership, intense internal feud and the lack of a clear direction for the party.

In the near term, Ahmad Zahid will bags all the plus points but in the long term, his vulnerabilities have been exposed.

2. Mohamad Hasan

As Umno's deputy president, Mohamad Hasan delivered a keynote address at the general assemblies of the party's youth and women's wings. It was as if he was speaking as the party president, touching on Umno's direction in future and his intention of reviving Barisan Nasional.

He criticized Bersatu too, but did not sensationalize the matter. Instead, he was rational in citing the reasons for the split.

Tok Mat did not only win the applause from the floor but also approval from the grassroots and people at large.

Despite originating from a different faction, Najib praised Tok Mat in his Bossku Facebook and the compliment received more than 10,000 Likes. Tok Mat is rising fast, no doubt.

If Ahmad Zahid is like a silat pulut performer displaying his stunts at a Malay festival, then Tok Mat is the real silat warrior. 

Ahmad Zahid may be the winner now, but Mat Hasan is likely the future victor.

The losers:

1. Annuar Musa

Annuar Musa may not have expected that he would be a loner at the Umno general assembly. He even became a target of attack by delegates as "traitor".

Annuar merely touched on a different path by advocating collaboration with PN for a win-win. But with anti-Bersatu sentiment running high, he was easily overwhelmed. His voice was unheard and had instead portrayed him in a bad light.

Annuar left the hall quietly after Ahmad Zahid's speech, realizing he did not have to carry on with his fight any more.

Shahidan Kassim, who was on the same side as Annuar, was booed by the delegates when he started to speak.

The pro-Bersatu faction in Umno tumbled. There would be no voice of working with Bersatu. Those who were pro-Bersatu would find it hard to survive in Umno.

2. Umno ministers and deputy ministers

Umno ministers and deputy ministers such as Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Noraini Ahmad, Adham Baba, Halimah Mohamed Sadique, Reezal Merican Naina Merican are now in an awkward position. Their ministerial posts are not at the mercy of the PM, but the party president!

They were not appointed by the Umno president, but would have to quit the cabinet as required by Ahmad Zahid and the supreme council, as a resolution has been adopted at the assembly.

If they are not willing to quit, then it would be going against the party's will. 

It is learned that many Umno ministers have mooted the idea of leaving and they have met Muhyiddin to express their intention.

3. Muhyiddin Yassin

From supporting the prime minister to call for dissolution of parliament, now Umno has narrowed it down to Umno supreme council and party president to decide when to quit the PN government.

Prior to this, the power is still in Muhyiddin's hands until the parliament is dissolved and he would decide when to call for dissolution. But now, Umno has assumed the dominant role. Once the party leaves the government, the PN government's existence will no longer be justifiable.

But Muhyiddin puts up a tough stand that he is prepared to take on Umno, including the general election.

Muhyiddin reveals his strong character and leadership that he is not going to be at the mercy of Umno. Nevertheless, the situation is getting tougher than he can imagine in reality. Reality is harsh and cruel. His days are getting more challenging.