KOTA KINABALU: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi indicated his readiness to establish a partnership with Bersatu, which is currently perceived to be in disarray due to internal party conflicts.
As reported by The Vives, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman clarified that any decision regarding this matter would consider the latest developments concerning Bersatu and would be finalized at a later date.
“We will formulate the suitable strategy for that (the potential collaboration with Bersatu).
“This will be factored in if it indeed occurs,” stated the Umno President as reported by Berita Harian.
Ahmad Zahid was questioned about the possibility of a proposed Umno/BN alliance with Bersatu following the collapse of the partnership between the party led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin and PAS in Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The deterioration in relations became increasingly evident after Muhyiddin stepped down as PN Chairman on January 1.
Recently, Umno Youth Chief, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh extended an invitation to Bersatu Supreme Council members and expelled party members to join Umno.
It was previously reported that Bersatu had expelled several party leaders, including former Supreme Council member and Tasek Gelugor MP, Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, and most recently, former Pahang PN Chairman and Indera Mahkota MP, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Last year, Bersatu also suspended the memberships of several party leaders, including Machang MP, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, for one term.
The Bersatu Disciplinary Board took this action following the issue of affidavits related to efforts to demand the resignation of President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
