KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident of receiving grassroots support for the party's decision to remain with the unity government until the 16th General Election (GE16).
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said that the stance is not in his personal capacity but represents the party's position, established through the Political Bureau Meeting, the Supreme Council Meeting and the Umno General Assembly three years ago.
On that basis, he said he also reminded that the unity government should be strengthened not only with the support of party members but also by Umno lawmakers themselves.
"I have no doubt about it (grassroots support). This is not about my personal stance; it is the party's position that I have presented not only at the Political Bureau Meeting but also at the Supreme Council Meeting and at the Umno General Assembly.
"I hold firmly to that position. The unity government must be strengthened with the support of party members and our own members of Parliament," he told the media at the World Trade Centre here today.
When asked about the possibility of contesting solo in GE16, Zahid said Umno will make a decision ahead of the election.
"When we face a general election, even if Umno contests alone, it does not mean we will not cooperate with any party based on the dotted line (guidelines).
"At the same time, the formation of the next government (after GE16) will depend on the number of seats won and the strength or weakness of support given to Umno candidates," he said.
Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said Umno plans to contest more than 30 seats in the upcoming GE16, including placing candidates in 'tier two' seats, where the party received the second-highest votes among contesting parties.
"I would like to say, not only will we aim to win the 30 seats, but also other seats we consider as 'tier two' – seats we lost but where we obtained the second-highest votes," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
When asked whether this includes seats won by Bersatu, Zahid said it depends on the analysis of all seat data.
"We need to analyse it thoroughly first," he said.
Meanwhile, regarding the upcoming Malacca and Johor State Elections, Zahid said the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly depends on the respective chief ministers and Mentris Besar. - NST
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