KUALA LUMPUR — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dared the party’s critics to hold a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat as an alternative to a snap general election.
In his winding up speech at the closing of the party’s annual general assembly today, Zahid took a veiled jab at Pakatan Harapan (PH) saying there were critics who were calling for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to leave the unity government.
“You have two options. One, get a new mandate by holding elections.
“Two, formally kick us out and hold a vote of no-confidence if you dare. If you dare, do it quickly!
“If you dare, dissolve (Parliament) quickly!” he said to Umno delegates who chanted “Bubar! Bubar!” (Dissolve, dissolve) at Dewan Merdeka in the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur where the assembly was held.
A confidence vote in Parliament would determine how much support the current head of government or administration has from MPs.
Zahid criticised “ceplos-ceplos” (political cyber troopers) who said Umno ought to be removed from the unity government by reminding them that the PH-led administration could only be formed because of Umno-BN’s support after the general election in 2022.
He said Umno and BN valued political stability for the sake of the people and therefore agreed to collaborate with PH.
He said if critics wanted Umno to leave the government, the current administration would no longer have its supermajority in Parliament.
Speaking to reporters later, however, Zahid struck a different tone, saying Umno remained committed to staying in the government.
“We don’t know when the term will end, and we will continue to be in the government.
“There are differences of opinions but we are professional members of the Cabinet and we respect the differences in opinions,” he told a press conference when asked about his remarks in his speech.
Umno has been seeking strategic partners for the 16th general election (GE16), having stressed several times that its current cooperation with PH in the unity government is to last until government’s mandate expires. GE16 is due to be held by February 2028, although there is much speculation it will be held sooner.
Yesterday when opening the party’s assembly, Zahid reiterated his call for an early general election, buoyed by electoral successes in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls.
Umno is also openly wooing PAS for a possible tie-up for GE16, and Zahid in his speech instructed the Umno Youth wing to organise a mega gathering called “Himpunan Perpaduan Ummah” between the two parties.
He said the gathering should draw “a million people”, not for politics alone, but for Muslim unity.
“We will engage in political cooperation with PAS” he said in winding up speech, adding that this desire for collaboration came from the Umno delegates.
He said the Umno wings and state divisions should support these gatherings, starting in the PAS-led states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah. – September 12, 2026