UMNO has not changed its policy on working with PKR and DAP, said Shahril Hamdan, after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had said he had informally discussed it with the Malay party.

The party information chief said Umno’s decision at the party’s general assembly in 2019 on the matter has not changed amid speculation that there had been political cooperation talks between PKR and Umno lately.

“The decision at the Umno General Assembly in 2019 is still applicable.

“All the top Umno leaders have repeatedly mentioned that there is no cooperation with PKR and DAP,” he said on Facebook post today.

Sharil said that rejecting cooperation with Bersatu does not mean it must link up with other parties.

“The fact is, the Supreme Council has never changed its policy and rejects cooperation with PKR and DAP.”

PKR President Anwar Ibrahim, in an interview in Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday, confirmed that there were informal discussions between PKR and Umno leaders.

“It’s just an initial discussion. But I get the impression that it’s a positive one.

“Because we understand (Umno) better and they understand us better,” said Anwar. 

Shahril, said that Anwar has the right to say anything but Umno should not lash out but should focus on strengthening the party.

“If Anwar still wants to say that there are official political negotiations and cooperation with Umno, it is his right to speak as he has always said that he has a majority in Parliament.

“We (Umno) do not have to dance to the beat of others but instead focus fully on strengthening the party internally, while working hard to win the confidence of the people,” he said.

Shahril said that Umno’s strength is in the people who support it, and without their support, the party will not achieve a strong position to fight for religion, race and country.

The Umno Supreme Working Council last month decided not to work with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu in the next general election.

Umno also stressed that support for Muhyiddin’s government is only up to the current parliamentary mandate. – March 16, 2021.