In blow to Najib, Umno top body rejects PKR, DAP

Umno top leaders today renewed the party’s commitment to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance, in what is seen as a blow to the party’s former president Najib Razak who had called for cooperation with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

The Umno Supreme Council which met today also reiterated the party’s rejection of any cooperation with PKR and DAP.

“Umno MPs will continue to support the Perikatan Nasional government. Umno urges for the principles of such cooperation to be strengthened in line with respect and political consensus,” said a statement by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The decision comes just hours after Najib openly called on Umno to consider backing Anwar in his bid to bring down the PN government.

In a Facebook post, Najib said such cooperation would have to ensure that Umno is given a greater role determining in the financial and economic direction of the country.

His post drew strong comments from his followers, many of whom expressed shock at Najib’s admission, weeks after it emerged that he and Zahid had written to the Agong to back Anwar for the post of prime minister.

Meanwhile, the Umno Supreme Council also called for a national reconciliation plan to bring together both ruling and opposition parties.

“(We) propose that the government take a more inclusive approach which transcends party ideologies in handling the Covid-19 pandemic and the negative economic impact faced by the people,” it added.