Zahid: We won't be bitten by same snake twice, Umno to stay with govt
Yiswaree Palansamy
Published: Jan 6, 2026 2:03 PM
Updated: 7:13 PM
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has, for the time being, ruled out any return to past political arrangements with the opposition, stressing that the party will remain part of the coalition government until the end of the current parliamentary term and the 16th general election.
Speaking after Umno’s political bureau meeting last night, Zahid said the party had not confirmed any plans to revive old coalitions or political branding that had previously failed, warning against repeating costly political missteps.
He was referring to Muafakat Nasional (MN), a loose and short-lived political alliance formed between Umno and PAS in September 2019, aimed at consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote.
The decision, he said, was reached during an Umno political bureau meeting last night, during which Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had presented the resolution reached at last week’s special convention.
During the convention, Akmal had urged Umno to leave the coalition government and assume the role of the opposition to rebuild its strength, stressing that Malay unity must begin with Umno and PAS as the two largest Malay-based parties.
“We do not wish to indulge in nostalgia by using any name that was previously proposed, and nothing has been finalised yet. That is why the details are important, as we do not want to be bitten by the same snake a second time in the same place.”
No ‘secret manoeuvres’
Speaking to reporters after addressing a gathering at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry today, the deputy prime minister also stressed that Umno would not engage in any form of “tebuk atap” manoeuvres to topple the current administration.
The term is often used to refer to covert engineering of defections or backroom manoeuvres to bring down a government or shift power, without going through elections.
Published: Jan 6, 2026 2:03 PM
Updated: 7:13 PM
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has, for the time being, ruled out any return to past political arrangements with the opposition, stressing that the party will remain part of the coalition government until the end of the current parliamentary term and the 16th general election.
Speaking after Umno’s political bureau meeting last night, Zahid said the party had not confirmed any plans to revive old coalitions or political branding that had previously failed, warning against repeating costly political missteps.
He was referring to Muafakat Nasional (MN), a loose and short-lived political alliance formed between Umno and PAS in September 2019, aimed at consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote.
The decision, he said, was reached during an Umno political bureau meeting last night, during which Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had presented the resolution reached at last week’s special convention.
During the convention, Akmal had urged Umno to leave the coalition government and assume the role of the opposition to rebuild its strength, stressing that Malay unity must begin with Umno and PAS as the two largest Malay-based parties.
“We do not wish to indulge in nostalgia by using any name that was previously proposed, and nothing has been finalised yet. That is why the details are important, as we do not want to be bitten by the same snake a second time in the same place.”
No ‘secret manoeuvres’
Speaking to reporters after addressing a gathering at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry today, the deputy prime minister also stressed that Umno would not engage in any form of “tebuk atap” manoeuvres to topple the current administration.
The term is often used to refer to covert engineering of defections or backroom manoeuvres to bring down a government or shift power, without going through elections.
“We discussed the issue of whether cooperation should be re-established between Umno-BN and the opposition, particularly between Umno and PAS. As we are aware, there were also suggestions that we should look for an appropriate time to leave the government.
“These matters were examined in detail. Although I listened to all the representatives from the states who put forward their respective views, this still requires careful consideration, as I have held a position from the beginning, and the party has also maintained its position from the start.
“We will never engage in secret manoeuvres against the present government. We will stand together with this unity government until the end of its term. Whenever that term is announced, it will be a sufficient term before the GE16 is held,” Zahid said.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has since lauded Zahid’s remarks, noting in a Facebook post that the statement is the result of thorough and comprehensive discussions voiced by the party’s leadership.
Term limit a ‘game changer’
On a separate matter, Zahid also voiced approval for a proposed bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure to no more than 10 years or two full terms, highlighting that such a law is a “game changer” that will prevent a prime minister from “overstaying” their welcome.
“No matter how good they are, a prime minister who stays for too long will lead to saturation effects,” he added.
PM Anwar Ibrahim
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the bill will be tabled in Parliament sometime this year.
Subsequently, Bersih chairperson Faisal Aziz said if the law is enacted, Malaysia will become the first country practising the Westminster model to impose a term limit on the prime minister’s office.
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), however, has cautioned that the positive impacts of such a bill might not be effectively realised if existing laws, which allow discretionary and arbitrary powers to be exercised, are not also reformed.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the bill will be tabled in Parliament sometime this year.
Subsequently, Bersih chairperson Faisal Aziz said if the law is enacted, Malaysia will become the first country practising the Westminster model to impose a term limit on the prime minister’s office.
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), however, has cautioned that the positive impacts of such a bill might not be effectively realised if existing laws, which allow discretionary and arbitrary powers to be exercised, are not also reformed.
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