Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (above) said Umno and its allies can become the nation's "third force".

"Yes, someone is waiting for that seat. Someone else doesn't want to give it up.

"However, we can become the 'third force'... You can be sure of that.

"Forty Umno and BN MPs, asalkan tidak berpecah (as long as we stay united). There are 18 from PAS. They are united. God willing, 19 (more) from Sarawak, 9 from Sabah. There are five more.

"People are coming to us, not the other way around... Let them come to us because we are strong," said Zahid.

In saying so, Zahid was making an obvious reference to the speculation that Pakatan Harapan's transition plan from Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim is in doubt.

In saying "as long as we stay united" and "let them come to us", Zahid could also be referring to speculation that Umno's Hishammuddin Hussein (above) was attempting to engineer a new federal government without DAP and Amanah.

Pakatan Harapan had issued a joint-statement on Oct 15 accusing Hishammuddin of doing so, coupled with hints by Anwar in Parliament that the plot was supported by those who wanted to escape prosecution.

However, Zahid stressed that he was not referring to anyone "dead or living", and thus drawing knowing giggles from his crowd, but eventually dropped more hints about his targets.

"The challenges will come. God is testing us. God wants to see if we are capable of istiqamah - whether we are able to withstand challenges.

"If we cannot withstand a little bit of pain, how could we be a leader? If you suffer an ear flick and your ear becomes red, how can you be a leader?" said Zahid.

Zahid said PAS had shown fortitude over six decades as an opposition party and decided to stay the course.

"Let 'Mat Sapu' leave (the party) with his eight friends who are now ministers. This includes 'Mujahil Mujahat' and 'Khalid mulut longkang'.

"PAS doesn't mind. In their mind, 'you just wait for our turn to be up there'," said Zahid.

Meanwhile, Zahid said Umno will not seek revenge against Harapan when it finally returns to power.