UMNO should not totally close its doors to work with either Anwar Ibrahim or DAP, said the party’s veteran leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today.

He told a forum this afternoon that the party should consider every option as long as such cooperation brings benefit to the people and nation.

“The ‘no Anwar Ibrahim, no DAP’ is a very thick sentiment. In politics, whatever is good for the people, it should be the priority,” he said at the forum organised by the National Professor Council.

Razaleigh’s view was similar to fellow party member Puad Zarkashi, who said previously that the party should not be too rigid with the sentiment.

If necessary, Umno should form a unity government with the support of opposition parties, starting in Perak, Puad had said.

“Umno must be bold to pioneer it for the survival of the people. Why must we be afraid? Perak Umno should have been given the opportunity to form a unity government without the need for a rigid coalition of political parties,” Puad said in a Facebook posting.

Razaleigh further explained that as political leaders, they must be wise in making political moves.

“With DAP, we as leaders must be wise in making our moves, in sharing power and in observing and deciding.

“If we are in control, I do not think that would be a problem. What matters are the people,” said the Gua Musang MP.

The Umno Supreme Council had rejected working with PKR president Anwar and DAP, and agreed to continue its partnership with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in forming the federal government.

Last month, Umno had toyed with the idea of working with Pakatan Harapan to form a state government in Perak but eventually decided to stick with PN allies PAS and Bersatu. – December 24, 2020.