Full backing: Ahmad Zahid (sixth from right) and other top Umno leaders rejoicing with party members during the closing ceremony of the Umno General Assembly at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has proposed the creation of a “grand collaboration” to unite all Malay and Muslim political parties in the country under a single broad framework, announces Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The party president said the initiative is not intended to challenge or topple the current government, but to unite various parties in a mature and responsible manner.
“The main aim of the grand collaboration is to unite the struggles of all Muslim political parties in an inclusive manner,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly.
The proposal was met with loud cheers and thunderous claps from the floor.
Ahmad Zahid said Umno does not intend for political parties to be dissolved, but instead come together under a larger collaboration, allowing ideas and initiatives to flow from the grassroots.
“By having the grand collaboration, we will set aside differences in party colours for the sake of Islam and the Malay community.
“We will operate under one roof together,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also assured Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the proposal is not meant to destabilise the Federal Government.
“YAB PM, please do not worry. I have no personal agenda to topple or disrupt the unity government.
“The sole purpose is to reflect Umno’s commitment to bring together all Malay-Muslim parties and advance the Malay and Islamic agenda,” he reiterated.
The Umno president also revealed that he was in discussions with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir to absorb the party back into Umno.
“Abdul Kadir had expressed his intention to absorb his party under the Penyatuan Rumah Bangsa concept,” he said.
At a press conference, Ahmad Zahid explained that the grand collaboration is not a revival of Muafakat Nasional, the now defunct political pact formed between Umno-PAS in 2019.
“It will be above it. However, this unity is not at the expense of other races or religions,” he said.
On a separate matter, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, announced that Anwar has tasked him to be in charge of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and its commercial arm FGV Holdings Bhd.
“I have no experience with Felda, so the Prime Minister has allowed Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is experienced on this matter, to assist me,” Ahmad Zahid said.
