Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today downplayed any negotiations between his party and PKR.

"We're not making any moves, but we will continue to strengthen the opposition front to highlight the people's issues," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

Earlier, Zahid had congratulated PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim on his victory in the Port Dickson by-election.

"It is our stand that we congratulate anyone who wins in the by-election, and may he contribute to democracy," Zahid, the Bagan Datuk MP, added.

Anwar won Port Dickson by a landslide last Saturday, in part due to Umno choosing to sit out the by-election.

Umno Padang Rengas MP Nazri Abdul Aziz had previously argued that his party should not contest in the by-election so as to maintain a cordial relationship with PKR.

This led to speculation that the party may be seeking cooperation with PKR – now the largest party in the Dewan Rakyat – after several lawmakers resigned from Umno. 

At present, PKR has 51 MPs compared to BN's 49.

Pakatan Harapan, of which PKR is a component party, has dismissed the possibility of cooperation with Umno.