UMNO will not enter into any formal agreement with Perikatan Nasional but is more comfortable with the “open understanding” it enjoys now, said Supreme Council member Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

The party is always open to any negotiation with Bersatu, PAS and Barisan Nasional, he said.

“There is no need to be too rigid but always consult the needs and wellbeing of the people.

“That way, we are always transparent and make good decisions for the people,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He was commenting on recent remarks from senior party leaders that the understanding with Bersatu and working relationship within PN is only in place until the next elections.

Umno leaders also discussed if there is a need for a more formal pact in PN during a recent Supreme Council meeting, with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expected to make an announcement soon.

However, all indications show that Umno prefers to maintain the informal pact until GE15.

Zahidi said a formal agreement involving the PN parties would cause difficulties later, especially during the distribution of positions and seats in GE15.

“If we sign an agreement then we have to state how many MPs, how many ministers and if they are not pleased then the agreement has to be amended.

“It is not that we don’t want any official connection with PN but it’s better if we are not bonded by any agreement.”

With proper negotiations and more transparency, PN will emerge stronger, he said.

“We are always open to strengthening the pact. We are always open for negotiations.”

It was previously reported that Umno refuses to join PN formally.

One of the reasons cited is that it wants to maintain its position in BN.

Umno has also inked a separate pact with PAS to form muafakat nasional.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan was reported as saying that PN is not an official coalition like BN.

PN was cobbled together after the fall of Pakatan Harapan following Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation as prime minister and following Bersatu’s exit from the pact in late February. – May 8, 2020.