Umno will continue to remain in the unity government for the time being, with strong backing from its grassroots until the next general election: Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will continue to remain in the unity government for the time being, with strong backing from its grassroots until the next general election, said party president Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He stressed that the decision reflects the collective position of the party rather than his personal stance.

“I have no doubt about it. This is not about my stand; this is the party’s stand,” he said when asked whether UMNO has full internal support to stay in the unity government until the next general election.

Ahmad Zahid said the matter had been discussed and endorsed by the party’s political bureau, supreme council, and general assembly as early as three years ago.

Currently, UMNO holds 26 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, while its Barisan Nasional partners include MCA with two MPs and MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) with one seat each.

Looking ahead, Ahmad Zahid revealed that UMNO is targeting to win more than 30 parliamentary seats in the next general election, including constituencies where the party previously finished as the runner-up.

When asked whether this would involve contesting seats held by Bersatu, he said any decision would be based on a detailed analysis of all constituencies.

On the question of whether UMNO would go solo or join another coalition after the election, Ahmad Zahid said it would depend on the election results.

“When we face the general election, although we go solo, that does not mean we are not collaborating with any parties,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also predicted that the next general election would be held within the next 22 months.

Regarding state elections in Melaka and Johor, he said the decision on when to dissolve the state assemblies would be left to the respective chief minister and mentri besar.

Speaking at the Sekolah Politik Umno convocation ceremony, Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that the party could rebuild its strength through the leadership development program, which focuses on training young members in leadership skills and in upholding the sovereignty of race, religion, and the nation.

“Umno will mark its 100th anniversary in 2046. I hope that by then, or even earlier, the party will reach greater heights through the graduates of this program,” he said.

“We want to see a future prime minister emerge from among these graduates. That is our aspiration,” he added.

A total of 56 participants graduated at the ceremony, bringing the total number of Sekolah Politik Umno graduates to 158 since the program was launched last year.