Umno president Ahmad Zahid says the party will not repeat past mistakes when considering cooperation with any opposition, including PAS
PUTRAJAYA: Umno does not wish to repeat past mistakes in forging cooperation with any opposition party, its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said any decision would be examined thoroughly to ensure the party is not “bitten by the same snake for the second time in the same place”.
He was responding to questions on whether Umno and PAS would resume cooperation under the Muafakat Nasional banner.
Ahmad Zahid said a resolution on the matter was tabled by the Umno Youth chief at the party’s Political Bureau meeting.
He confirmed the issue was discussed openly but no decision was reached.
The Umno Youth chief had tabled two motions at a special convention last Saturday.
One motion called for Umno to resume cooperation with PAS, while the other urged the party to withdraw from the Unity Government.
Ahmad Zahid stated no decision had been made on the call for Umno to leave the Unity Government.
“No decision has been made,” he said.
“Whatever decision is taken will be a major one made by the party.”
He added that discussions touched on proposals to re-establish cooperation between Umno, Barisan Nasional and the opposition.
Ahmad Zahid stressed all views from state representatives must be carefully scrutinised.
He reiterated Umno’s clear position that it will not engage in any ‘tebuk atap’ manoeuvres against the current government.
“We will never carry out a ‘tebuk atap’ against the existing government,” he said.
“We will remain with the Unity Government until the end of its term, before the 16th General Election.”
