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KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO is considering the idea of withdrawing its support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) and will establish new terms in writing to continue its political cooperation with the ruling coalition.
UMNO Secretary General Ahmad Maslan said the matter was unanimously agreed upon at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the party’s Supreme Council, which ended Tuesday night (October 13).
He added that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be notified of the party’s decision and the new terms on Wednesday.
“All presidents of the state UMNO liaison body and members of the Supreme Council, including those in quarantine, agree with the decision,” he told reporters in the lobby of the UMNO headquarters after the meeting.
UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is scheduled for an audience with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Thursday at 5 pm, the secretary-general added.
READ: Malaysian king will study documents and consult party leaders, says Anwar amid attempt to form new government
The two-session, five-hour meeting chaired by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was attended by his deputy Mohamad Hassan and all the leaders of the party wing.
Ahmad Maslan said the meeting also suggested to the Muafakat Nasional (MN) steering committee that MN immediately register as a legitimate political coalition.
He stressed that the UMNO believes that political stability is very important and that economic growth must be improved.
READ: Leave it to the king’s best judgment, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin about Anwar’s attempt to seize power
When asked if UMNO would immediately withdraw from PN if the coalition refuses to accept the new terms, Ahmad Maslan said that further discussions would take place.
He said the decision was made based on the political situation in the country, after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with the king on Tuesday.
Anwar Ibrahim said he has the support of more than 120 members of Parliament, adding that the king would ask party leaders to provide their opinion and confirm the documents presented by the president of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Istana Negara said Tuesday that Anwar Ibrahim did not present a list of the names of his backers during a royal hearing.
READ: Anwar did not present a list of deputies who back him: Istana Negara
In a statement, the Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said that the meeting between the king and Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday lasted about 25 minutes.
“At this meeting, Mr. Anwar had presented the number of members of Parliament who, according to him, support him. However, he did not present a list of names of these MPs to back up his claims.
“In relation to that, the king had advised Mr. Anwar to obey and respect due process of law according to the Federal Constitution,” said the comptroller.
