KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Umno will not be inviting its federal government partner Pakatan Harapan (PH) to its general assembly, starting this Wednesday to Saturday.

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said PAS was invited instead, as a reciprocal gesture for the invitation to the Islamist party’s 72nd congress in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, last weekend.

“There's give and take. If they invite us, we invite them,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia today.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had earlier announced that the decision to invite PAS had been made in a consensus during a supreme council meeting.

Zahid said the Umno assembly this year would not decide on cooperation with any coalition, particularly ahead of the 16th general election.

He said discussions would instead focus on the potential benefits and risks to Umno and Barisan Nasional should any such cooperation be formed.

“Society wants Malays to champion Malay unity — not just within Umno, but across Malay parties.

“I don't want to unite Malay parties, but as a whole, Malays want Malay unity to be realised,” he was quoted as saying. - malaymail