KUALA LUMPUR – Umno will head into the next general election under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner and will not cooperate with other parties, said president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
However, he said the party will leave the door open to any possible cooperation with other political entities after the polls to form a unity government.
In his fiery policy speech at the Umno general assembly today, Zahid said the party’s decision not to cooperate with Bersatu ahead of the election is final, and urged all delegates at its annual meet to pass the resolution and formalise the motion.
“This decision is final, and we must put a full stop to this. This is not only the decision of the Supreme Council, but is also based on the voices of the grassroots,” he said to loud roars of those in the hall of Umno’s headquarters here at the Putra World Trade Centre.
On the same note, Zahid said Umno will stick to its Supreme Council stand that there will be “No Anwar, No DAP” in facing the polls, in reference to possible cooperation with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led PKR and its Pakatan Harapan ally, DAP.
Zahid also dismissed claims that there have been negotiations with the opposition parties, maintaining that Umno will head into the election using its famous BN’s dacing (scale) logo.
Having said that, Zahid acknowledged the need for a political reset, saying that the rakyat aspires to have a unity government leading the country for the sake of stability, which requires cooperation with other parties.
For this to happen, the former deputy prime minister said it is incumbent that Umno wins the most number of seats in the election to ensure any future political alliance will see the Malay party playing a leading role in the government.
Zahid also urged all party members to have an open heart and mind on the possibility of cooperating with other political entities.
“This is not for now, but after the elections. For now though, we must return to our origins. Umno must lead, not be led. Umno governs, and is not governed,” he said.
“For Umno to be dominant, we must win the most number of seats in the coming election. When we are dominant, only then can we be relevant.”
On Umno’s cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional (MN), Zahid said it has been agreed that the pact will not make hasty decisions pertaining to the possibility of joining any other political alliance.
Zahid also acknowledged the possibility that the general election will now only take place when the current term of Parliament ends in 2023, after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin holds on by securing enough numbers in the Dewan Rakyat.
In the latest development, three PKR MPs had defected in support of PN earlier this month.
Zahid, however, said Umno will not take the matter lightly and that “something has to be done” to ensure the election is held immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.
“I leave it up to the delegates here today to decide what you want to do. Indeed, what we are doing is for political stability,” he said.
Previously, Muhyiddin has given his assurance that he will dissolve Parliament as soon as the Covid-19 situation in the country is contained and once the emergency is lifted, which is scheduled for August 1.
Touching on Umno leaders with government positions, Zahid reminded them to keep the party’s name in good stead and not to take advantage of their positions.
He noted that presently, Umno faces the challenge of being attacked, not only by external parties, but from within as well.
“To my friends who have been given positions as ministers, deputy ministers and in GLCs (government-linked companies), please take care of Umno’s image so that the rakyat will support us. They (rakyat) are watching us.
“We must close ranks. I repeat, it is compulsory that Umno closes ranks,” he said.
Speculation has been rife in recent months of a split in Umno between the party’s leadership and those with government positions.
Chiefly, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been vocal in opposing the Umno Supreme Council decision to sever ties with Bersatu, with the Ketereh MP seeming to be warming up to Bersatu more than his own party. – The Vibes, March 28, 2021
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