KUALA LUMPUR — Umno will remain part of the Unity Government until the end of its term ahead of the 16th General Election, party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Monday, dismissing speculation of any imminent political realignment.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said both he and the party have held a consistent position from the outset and would not engage in any form of backdoor manoeuvres against the current government.
“We will remain with the Unity Government until the end of its term, before the 16th General Election,” he said.
He added that Umno also does not want to repeat past mistakes by rushing into cooperation with any opposition party, stressing that any future decision would be examined carefully to avoid being “bitten by the same snake for a second time in the same place”.
“We do not want to be nostalgic by reusing names that were proposed previously, and nothing has been finalised yet. That is why the details matter,” he told reporters after attending the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development’s New Year 2026 address in Putrajaya, as reported by Bernama.
Zahid was responding to questions on whether Umno and PAS could revive their former cooperation under the Muafakat Nasional banner.
He said the issue was raised by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Mohamad Akmal Saleh during a Political Bureau meeting yesterday and was discussed openly, but no final decision was reached.
On Jan 3, Mohamad Akmal tabled two motions at a special Umno Youth convention, proposing that the party renew cooperation with PAS and withdraw from the Unity Government to sit in opposition.
Zahid said there was also no conclusive decision on Umno Youth’s call for the party to exit the government.
“No final decision has been made. God willing, this is a major decision that will be made by the party, and when the time comes, we will announce it,” he said. — January 6, 2026