UMNO AGM | Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has expressed disagreement with Umno forming a unity government with Pakatan Harapan for the sake of returning to power through the back door.

"I don't agree that our honour should be sold just to find a way to get power through the back door," he said when asked if he agreed with the unity government proposition.

According to an interview published in New Straits Times on Thursday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party was prepared to form a unity government with any Harapan party, in order to return to government.

However, Asyraf claimed that Zahid might have been misquoted by the newspaper.

"I feel that maybe what the president said was misunderstood, because we are trying to get the real picture, and many statements were misreported by the media.

"What is certain is that the president, deputy president, and the wings, especially the Youth, are clear. Our focus is to strengthen the party.

"We don't need to rush to find or gain sympathy from any quarter for us to form a government through the back door," he added.

He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Umno Youth general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.

During his opening speech earlier, Asyraf said the wing supported the leadership's efforts to form alliances with other opposition parties.

He also said that jumping ship or gaining power through the backdoor could cause Umno to lose power forever.

"Umno Youth wishes to remind those who are considering switching parties or looking for opportunities to return to power through the back door, this party still has honour.

“Don't sacrifice the people's trust. Once the people feel betrayed, the party may be rejected forever," he added.