Road to power: Zahid nays 'wide open' back door, PAS leader ayes any door

Speaking at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur this morning, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rejected the idea of forming a back door government with Pakatan Harapan parties.

He said BN could form the government via Muafakat Nasional.

"Through Muafakat Nasional, we do not dream of a change of government via the back door, despite it being wide open," he said in his policy speech.

"Despite both the front door and back door opened widely, we will still choose the front door.

"We will form the government according to democratic principles as enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he added.

Speculation is rife that former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein is attempting to form a government without DAP and Amanah.

This escalated following a meeting between BN lawmakers and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali at the latter's residence in Putrajaya.

Hishammuddin has denied the existence of such a plot while the MPs claimed that the meeting was about economic matters and allocations for their constituencies.

PAS sec-gen: You can enter through the front, back or side

Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who was present at the AGM, told reporters later that he had no qualms with using the back door.

“I am okay with the back door.

“(What is important) is to head towards Parliament. You have the front door, back door and side door, you can enter through whichever door,” he said when quizzed on this.

“It is like a game of football. When there is weakness among the opposition or when there is an opportunity, you must score a goal. It does not matter if it is through the front, back or side.

“Parliament has four doors,” he quipped.

Previously, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said Umno and PAS would gain access to Putrajaya through the front door.

"God willing, we will enter Putrajaya through the front door, through elections. God willing, (the) cooperation (between PAS and Umno) will succeed," he added.

Hadi was also present at the Umno meet and was seated on the main stage.

Meanwhile, Takiyuddin said Muafakat Nasional would form a new coalition to include BN component parties MCA and MIC.

“We are planning to register Muafakat Nasional as a coalition... To form a new coalition, we need to check the procedure with the RoS (Registrar of Societies),” he added.

The PAS leader said the two biggest Malay-Muslim parties, who were once arch rivals, have not discussed the allocation of seats with regard to the general election.

“The allocation of seats would be our biggest challenge,” he added.

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