PETALING JAYA: Umno has reaffirmed that it would continue supporting the unity government until the next general election (GE16), says the party’s secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
However, Asyraf said that Umno remained open to cooperation with any political party in the interests of political stability and the well-being of the people.
“Any form of cooperation must be rooted in the principles of sincerity and trust,” he said in a statement issued after tonight’s Umno Supreme Council meeting.
Asyraf also stressed that Umno has the right to decide its own stance and direction in any election, including the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls.
He said the Johor government was formed before the unity government was established at the federal level and did not involve Pakatan Harapan parties.
“Therefore, the agreement on the formation of the unity government at the federal level does not bind any state government,” he said.
Asyraf also rejected claims by certain quarters that Umno’s decision to defend its mandate in Johor amounted to a betrayal of the federal coalition, describing it instead as “a legitimate, mature and constitutional democratic act”.
The Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1, and the Negeri Sembilan assembly on June 5, paving the way for state elections.
In Negeri Sembilan’s case, the dissolution came two months after 14 Umno assemblymen declared they had lost confidence in menteri besar Aminuddin Harun and withdrew support for his administration.
The Election Commission will announce polling dates for both states on Friday.
