De facto Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been empowered by the supreme council to hold negotiations to form either government or opposition blocs.

However, he did not elaborate if this included negotiations with Pakatan Harapan.

"The supreme council has given me the mandate to hold any negotiations that want to be done by BN and Umno, which must be done en bloc.

"We will use the entire strength of Umno and BN to hold negotiations with anyone, to form any government or opposition," Zahid said at a press conference at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Meanwhile, he said Umno will also establish a committee to restructure the party.

This is to identify problems which led to the party's defeat in the general election.

Zahid also hoped that party members will close ranks.

"InsyaAllah, this temporary challenge is meant to test our strength," he said.

He warned that the Umno leadership will also act against those who wish to destroy the party.