As its president's retirement date nears, Umno has become beset with speculations. The latest being an election pact in the works among younger leaders.

Rumours of such a pact have been circulating for weeks and many have likened it to the 1993 'Vision Team' led by jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

However, pundits said they are still in the dark over the 'form' of this pact and when it may come into effect.

"The formation of the pact could be concluded before October," said o­ne political observer who declined to be named.

"I personally believe that the move points to a radical shift in their campaign strategies this time around," he added when contacted.

Boost chances

In October, deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will take over the party leadership from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He will also assume the premiership from the latter.

According to the observer, electoral tactics have taken o­n a different dimension following the Umno supreme council's decision to ban campaigns and roadshows after the 1993 party election.

Meanwhile, other observers said an election pact would help boost the chances of new candidates to at least secure seats in the supreme council.

In 1993, menteri besars had joined forces to support the 'Vision Team'. They also backed Anwar to mount a successful challenge against incumbent Ghafar Baba for the deputy president post.

Ghafar withdrew from the contest after garnering o­nly seven nominations from the party divisions.

"New candidates seem to be at a loss to chart their next step. They have to find a way of getting the momentum back," said another observer.

However, not all agree with the formation of an electoral pact since it has the potential to threaten the stability in the party.

"We cannot wait for it to spread and react. What is at stake is the future leadership of Umno," said a divisional party leader when contacted.

Otherwise, he stressed, party members would be exposed to manipulation by certain quarters in order to garner support for their respective candidates.

Careful approach

Despite the possible repercussions, several veteran leaders are calling for a careful and calculated approach to the issue.

The leaders said the party must "think long and hard" before taking any action.

"The big question now is how to preserve party unity without giving the impression that the party has an offensive attitude towards upcoming leaders," said o­ne of them.

"The latest development indicated that the party has to reassess its policy in facing the challenging years ahead.

"Without proper adjustments, the party could subvert its influence and interest," remarked another.