pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party will not join any coalition with DAP as an ally.

Ahmad Zahid said although Umno is being practical and open to accept the current political reality, the party remain firms to “uphold the Malay and Muslim unity” in the country.

“Surely, we cannot accept the invitation as long as the parties or any leaders of the parties continue to work with DAP. Moreover, DAP (is trying) to push the Malaysian Malaysia agenda which will not be welcomed by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN),” he told the press at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

“Although we are being realistic of the current political situation, the offer would have to be rejected,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid said this in response to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks last week, where the latter invited all Malay-based parties and its members to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Dr Mahathir said there are currently up to six Malay parties that have been established in the country which would not favour the Bumiputera group in the next general election.

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had earlier invited BN-Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin (picture) to join Bersatu, saying that the move could further strengthen the party position as the centrist party for the Malays.

However, Khairy turned down the offer, stating that he is “happy with his current position”.

“I am quite happy where I am. Thank you,” Khairy told reporters.

Meanwhile, BN-Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Umno should take a wait-and-see approach before making any decision on Dr Mahathir’s invitation.

“I want to hear what the Pakatan Harapan components say on this, then after that, we can have Umno’s decision,” he said.