Umno hasn't decided on electoral cooperation with Harapan

UMNO AGM | Umno has not made any decision on cooperating with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election, said the party’s secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

“We have not made any decision on that matter. If you understand what the president said, the most important thing is to strengthen the existing government to ensure stability and safeguard the people’s prosperity.

“If we look at the economic indicators, investments, and investor confidence, all of them show positive signs. What is the basis for all this? The basis is political stability.

“As a party with long experience in administration, Umno certainly thinks about our responsibility to the people,” he said at a press conference after visiting the media centre in conjunction with the Umno AGM 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, today.

Yesterday, Selangor Umno delegate Hasnal Rezwa Merican Habib Merican raised the point that Umno now has the right to determine how the party should face the 16th general election (GE16).

This was because, he said, over the past three years, Umno has successfully played its role in the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“Therefore, the motion brought today outlines that after three years, from this moment onward, Umno has the right to form any cooperation, political ties, discussions, or negotiations with any party to determine how we want to face GE16,” he said.

However, Asyraf noted that if Umno were to make political decisions without considering the people, the party would surely be punished for creating an uncomfortable situation.

“Political instability will affect the economy, investors won’t come, and ultimately, the people will suffer. So that is why I think if we look at the debates taking place now, Umno leaders in this context are very rational - it is not emotional,” he said.

On Umno’s move to once again postpone party elections to make way for the general election, Asyraf said it was done to bolster Umno’s internal strength.

Return of ex-members

Meanwhile, when asked whether there are former Umno leaders who will return to the party, Asyraf said they have received many applications.

“Many. As secretary-general, I can say that we have indeed received many applications.

“Let’s wait for the winding-up speeches because the president mentioned in his policy speech the ‘big home’ and the establishment of a big home committee and a big home unity committee.

“I think what is most important is what resolution we achieve from this year’s Umno general assembly,” he explained.

He also confirmed that former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has yet to apply to rejoin Umno after being expelled, despite attending the assembly on Thursday.

The appearance of the former minister and Umno Youth chief drew widespread attention as he had been widely speculated to be rejoining the party.

Strengthen party first

In a separate development, Asyraf stressed that Umno’s decision to postpone party elections was made so that internal strengthening would be prioritised.

He explained that following the constitutional amendments at the Umno general assembly three years ago, the matter had been settled by a decision made by the delegates and party members.

“So when we say after the election, that is what was decided by all delegates and members in the context of Umno. Our focus is the election first - when the Malacca and Johor elections, which may take place this year, are over, then the general election.

“If we get busy with party elections, then all sorts of stories will emerge. Right now, Umno needs strong internal solidarity, so I think, praise be to God, what was decided by Umno delegates at the last general assembly three years ago reflects wisdom,” he said.

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