The Malaysian Insight

UMNO will not form any political pacts before the next general election, said Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president, however, left the door open to both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional as he declined to confirm if Umno would not work with the two different coalitions.

“There should not be any (new political pacts) before the elections as we have to see what the voters want,” said Zahid.

“But whether it is done now or in 2023, Umno will remain as the anchor party when there is a PN 3.0 and not PN,” said the Umno president in a Facebook live on Umno Online.

In an indirect jab to his political rivals, Zahid said Umno will not be boxed in whether it chooses to work with PH or not.

“When Abdul Razak Hussein formed Barisan Nasional he discussed with PAS, Gerakan, PPP (People’s Progressive Party) and even the parties in Sabah and Sarawak, who were then the opposition.

“Although different in ideology, all these parties came together in the interest of the country,” said Zahid.

Zahid said Umno will not be limited to who it can partner post-GE15.

“How can others force Umno to be enemies with someone else’s enemies? Politics in reality is dynamic,” said the Bagan Datuk MP.

Zahid has been labelled a traitor to his party after Umno decided to reject partnering Bersatu and PN in the next election.

His rivals have accused him of trying to work with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and DAP, against the party’s decision.

Although the general election is not due till 2023, PN, which consists of mainly Bersatu and PAS, are hopeful that Umno will not partner PH as a tie-up by the two will scupper PN’s chances of retaining the government.

As of now, PH has 88 MPs, PN has 50, with BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak having 39 and 18 respectively in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.

Zahid, however, did not answer the question on whether Umno’s decision on refusing to work with PN is final.

When asked by moderator Noor Azizan Abdul Majid, Zahid sidestepped the question and said he hoped Umno will remain relevant in the coming years.

“I hope to see Umno remain relevant in the next 25 years until it turns 100,” said Zahid on the Umno programme entitled “75 years of Umno”.

Umno was formed on May 10, 1946 to oppose Britain’s Malayan Union plan after World War 2. – May 10, 2021.