DON’T dream of an Umno prime minister when the party has a measly number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat, says party president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We have to address this “keciputan” (Malay slang for meagre or measly) of the number of parliament seats first,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat has 222 seats. Barisan Nasional has 30 parliamentary seats, 26 of which are held by Umno.

Ahmad Zahid conceded that the support of the Malays for Umno now is still low.

He said embracing the idea of a new political landscape, which is forming a government with former party rivals, has not been popular with Umno members.

“We must think out of the box on how to effectively convey Cabinet decisions to the party members and the masses, so that the grassroots have a sense of belonging to the Madani government,” said Ahmad Zahid during a special interview with selected media prior to the Umno general assembly, which begins yesterday.

The Deputy Prime Minister brushed aside the notion that DAP is a liability to Umno, its former bitter rival.

He added that this perception came about due to the failure of Umno and the unity government to communicate effectively with the Malay voters on its working relationship with the DAP.

He said the parties in the unity government are actually on the same page when it comes to discussing certain issues.

“For example, Umno members don’t seem to know that when the 3R issues (race, religion and royalty) are discussed in the Cabinet meetings, there has not been any opposition from ministers from this party that is alleged to oppose Malay privileges, the status of Islam and the Malay Rulers,” he said.

“This is the reality. Those party leaders sit next to me in the Cabinet. The perception that this party is opposing these issues has not been handled properly,” said Ahmad Zahid.

“Which party does not have differing voices?

“This is political dynamism. We must differentiate between the official stand of the party from the personal opinions of party leaders.

“If a certain party is perceived as a liability (to Umno), it is only that – a mere perception.

“However, I have to admit that there are Umno members who are not comfortable with us working with other parties in the unity government, but this is due to the right explanation not reaching the Umno grassroots,” he said.

In 2021, the Umno general assembly endorsed the “No DAP, No Anwar” resolution.

But after the last general election, Barisan teamed up with Pakatan Harapan to form the unity government – a decision which has yet to be accepted fully by the Umno grassroots.

Several Umno leaders had publicly sparred with DAP leaders on issues pertaining to 3R, despite both parties being part of the government.

Ahmad Zahid said that Umno must continue to provide explanations on its working relationship with Pakatan Harapan.

He said Umno members with party posts but have differing opinions from the party’s official stand tend to be youth leaders.

“This happened as well when I headed Umno Youth in 1996.

“In terms of party leadership, Umno is very intact under my leadership, even in opposition- held states.

“It would be ideal if everyone is in full agreement with the top leadership. If the branches support the top leadership’s decisions, this is good enough for Umno.

“If I am not a liberal president, I would have kicked out those who voiced their opposition to the party’s official stand.

“If you want to attack me, go ahead. But if you want to attack and badmouth Umno, I will not stand for it,” said Ahmad Zahid, adding that those who constantly attacked the party from within should leave Umno.

On the party assembly, he said that criticism and differences of opinions among Umno delegates in a general assembly is normal.

However, there must be decorum when delegates voice differing opinions.

“We have never filtered the delegates’ speeches during the party’s annual general assemblies,” he added.

He said that the Umno general assembly this time and next year will not be passing any resolutions on party polls.

“The party polls will only come into play in 2026.

“This general assembly will be about promoting the government agenda for the bumiputra, such as technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the halal industry and entrepreneurship,” he added. – The STAR