A stronger Umno is working hard to win back voters and its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the party will not join any Pakatan Harapan parties to form an unelected government.
Zahid, delivering his opening speech at the party’s annual general assembly today said the party will instead continue to work with the Islamists from PAS to form a legitimate regime.
He dismissed attempts by some Pakatan members and Umno MPs to work together and form a new government.
“Under Muafakat Nasional, we will not change the government through the wide-open back door. Although the front and back doors are flung open now, we will enter from the front. We will chart our own government in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
“In preparing ourselves for the 15th general election, there is much that needs to be done in Muafakat Nasional,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Former Minister of Defense and Najib Razak’s cousin, Hishammuddin Hussein was in the limelight recently. News reports alleged he was pushing for the formation of a new government with some component parties of the Pakatan.
The plot revolved around kicking the Democratic Action Party and the Amanah out of the PH coalition.
It would have also meant the destruction of the PKR with some MPs and Ministers joining in.
The PH secretariat in October issued a statement urging Hishammuddin to stop the purported campaign to establish the new government.
The latter denied allegations though he was part of a 22 Umno delegation of MPs who met PKR deputy president and powerful Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali in a secret gathering.
Umno members denounced the 22 MPs who were taken aback when Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed they met Azmin to fight for a chance to join a new party.
The Umno members denied they wanted to quit their party, instead they say Dr Mahathir is diverting attention while they asked Azmin to quit PKR and join Umno.
Nevertheless, the Umno says it is going all out in the partnership with PAS. But the party deputy president Mohamad Hasan said the party is still weighing the pros and cons of institutionalising the charter signed with PAS.
He said the party is yet to decide on the matter as it will depend on a report from the party’s technical committees.
One hurdle is the inclusion of non-Malay parties in the charter. The two other Barisan Nasional component parties, the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress have given their initial accord to form part of the charter.
According to observers, Umno now has a solid plan to defeat the Pakatan Harapan in the general elections that is due in three years. -/TISG