PUTRAJAYA: Umno has no intention of engaging in any “backdoor” (tebuk-atap) manoeuvres against the unity government prior to the next general election, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He added that Umno has made it clear on its position against such moves from the outset and it will carefully scrutinise all views expressed by Umno state representatives on the matter.
“My position and that of the party has been clear from the beginning. We will never carry out a backdoor (tebuk-atap) manoeuvre against the current government.
“We will remain with the unity government until the end of its term, before the 16th General Election,” he said when met after delivering a New Year address at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry yesterday.
He was responding to questions on whether Umno would revive its political cooperation with PAS and withdraw from the unity government to take on the role of the opposition.
Last Saturday, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Mohamad Akmal Saleh tabled two motions at a party youth special convention, calling for Umno to resume its cooperation with PAS and withdraw from the unity government to assume its role of the opposition.
Ahmad Zahid said Dr Akmal’s resolution was brought up for discussions during the party’s political bureau meeting on Monday night but no decision was reached.
“Any decision taken will be a major one made by the party. We will announce it when the time comes,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said that Umno does not wish to repeat past mistakes in forging cooperation with any opposition party.
He said that any decision made must be carried out following cautious and thorough consideration.
“We do not want to be nostalgic with regard to the use of any previously proposed name, and nothing has been finalised.
“That is why details are important because we do not want to be bitten twice by the same snake in the same place,” he added
In September 2019, Umno and PAS inked an agreement to forge political cooperation under the Muafakat Nasional banner aimed at uniting the Malays after the 2018 general election.
The political alliance was dissolved in Dec 2022 after Umno pulled out due to its disagreement that PAS and Bersatu were working towards setting up Perikatan Nasional.
