.png)
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has publicly read out portions of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), which formed the basis for the establishment of the Malaysia Unity Government.
The Deputy Prime Minister, while reading from the document, also explained the definitions and interpretations of the terms used in the agreement.
“I want to show the memorandum of understanding on cooperation to form a coalition government known as the Malaysia Unity Government. Where is the mention of the (Madani) Government? Is it here?
“Definitions and interpretations, unless the circumstances and context require otherwise, the following terms or expressions used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings: The memorandum of understanding on cooperation shall mean this agreement and any subsequent agreements made relating to the formation and operation of the Malaysia Unity Government.
“Eh, I’ve let it slip. Look at this first,” he said during his winding-up speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly (PAU 2026) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here on Saturday.
Zahid’s remarks appeared to reinforce Umno’s position that the administration should be formally referred to as the Malaysia Unity Government, rather than the “Madani Government”.
The issue had earlier been raised by Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who stressed that Umno wanted the administration to continue to be referred to as the Malaysia Unity Government, in line with the original agreement governing its formation.
Asyraf said there was no issue with the Malaysia Madani concept being used as a vision or “war cry”, but argued that referring to the administration itself as the “Madani Government” was inconsistent with the original agreement.
The remarks come as Umno continues to assert its position within the coalition government, stressing that its participation in the administration does not mean surrendering the party’s political identity or interests.
Zahid had also previously stressed that cooperation within the government should not be interpreted as political surrender, saying parties could work together without losing their respective identities.
The Malaysia Unity Government was formed following the 15th General Election (GE15), after no single coalition secured a simple majority to form the Federal Government.
The cooperation brought together parties from previously opposing political blocs, including PH and BN, alongside other parties, to form the current administration.
Zahid’s decision to publicly read from the agreement at the Umno general assembly therefore puts renewed focus on the terms underpinning that cooperation, particularly the political understanding between the parties forming the Unity Government.
