Acting BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has mooted the formation of a new multiracial coalition “similar to BN."

This is in light of the disintegration of the former ruling coalition – now reduced to just three parties – following its devastating in the 14th general election.

“We will get a mandate from the Umno supreme council and party divisions to review whether a coalition of several political parties should be formed, and to review what its members and new name will be.

“I am suggesting that the individual entities for each party should remain, but a coalition similar to BN be formed, so that all parties can work together to form a new government,” he told a press conference held at Umno’s headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

Zahid, who is running for the presidency of Umno, said that the Malay rights party still needs to work with other political parties.

Read more: Multiracial Umno? I’d like to see KJ try, says Zahid

“We have to accept the reality that we can’t base the struggle of any political party (or coalition) on race alone.

“We live in a plural society, and although Umno is a party for Malays, we need to work together with parties that have other races, parties that are not based on race.

“We need to work together as one force so that all races, religions, backgrounds and cultures are included in nation-building,” he explained.

No official letter from Gerakan

Meanwhile, Zahid said he had not received any official letters from Gerakan about their exit from the coalition.

“I will study the decision that they have made closely, and I will ask BN’s secretary-general and working secretary to contact them.

“This is because we have not received an official letters from them,” he said.

Gerakan announced their departure from BN today, saying this was done to heed demands from its grassroots.

BN now consists of just three component parties – Umno, MCA and MIC – from the 13 it had before the polls.

This does not, however, affect BN’s parliamentary seat count of 57, due to Gerakan failing to win any seats in the recent election.