KUALA LUMPUR: Umno is looking at contesting more than 30 seats in the upcoming general election, says its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Umno president said the party was aiming beyond the 30 seats it won in the last general election, including contesting seats where it came in second among competing parties.
"I would say, not only 30 seats that we had won, but other seats we considered as 'tier two' seats, those seats we lost, but we managed to secure the second highest votes," he told reporters at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Asked if it includes the Bersatu seats, he said it would depend on the analysed data of all the seats.
"We have to really analyse it first," he said.
Pressed whether Umno would go solo or join another coalition after the general election, Ahmad Zahid said it would depend largely on the outcome of the general elections.
"When we face the general election, although we go solo, that does not mean we are not collaborating 'based on dotted lines' with any parties for that matter.
"The formation of the next government depends on how many seats we are going to get and how strong or weak the support given to our candidates," said Ahmad Zahid.
The Umno General Assembly 2025 will be held from Jan 14 to 17 at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur, after being postponed twice in August and November last year to allow the party to prepare for the 17th Sabah State Election.
Asked for his predictions on when the elections would be, Ahmad Zahid said "within 22 months from now."
On the upcoming Melaka and Johor state elections, the Umno president said that it would be up to the respective Chief Minister and Mentri Besar.
"We have to work hard and work smart on it. We still have to put extra effort by gaining the support of voters in the two states," he said.
In his main message to the party delegates ahead of the Umno General Assembly, the party president said, "strengthen our unity within the party, that is important," he said.
