Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed strong confidence that the party’s grassroots remain firmly behind Umno’s decision to continue supporting the unity government, dismissing any suggestion of wavering commitment ahead of the next general election.
Speaking to reporters at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on January 13, 2026, Ahmad Zahid said the position was not a personal stance but a collective decision made by the party through its established leadership structures. He conveyed certainty that Umno members at the grassroots level understood and supported the direction taken by the party leadership to remain within the unity government framework.
His remarks came in response to questions over whether Umno would maintain its backing for the current government until the end of the parliamentary term. Ahmad Zahid indicated that the issue had been deliberated and endorsed several years earlier through formal party channels, including the political bureau, the supreme council and the party’s general assembly. According to him, those discussions had resulted in a clear mandate that continues to guide Umno’s political strategy.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that sustaining the unity government required consistent effort not only from Umno’s leadership but also from its elected representatives. He said party members and Members of Parliament alike had a responsibility to strengthen the administration through cooperation and discipline, emphasising that internal unity was essential for political stability and effective governance.
Umno currently holds 26 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, a number that places the party in a significant position within the unity government arrangement. Ahmad Zahid’s comments appeared aimed at reassuring both party members and political observers that Umno would not withdraw its support abruptly or create uncertainty within the ruling coalition.
The renewed emphasis on unity comes as the party prepares for its upcoming general assembly. The Umno General Assembly 2025 is scheduled to take place from January 14 to January 17, 2026, at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The gathering had previously been postponed twice, in August and November 2025, to allow the party to focus on preparations for the 17th Sabah State Election.
The assembly is expected to serve as a key platform for party leaders to reaffirm Umno’s political direction, address internal concerns and consolidate support ahead of future electoral challenges. With questions frequently raised about the durability of the unity government, Ahmad Zahid’s statements signal an effort to project stability and continuity, while reinforcing the message that Umno’s participation in the current administration reflects a party-wide consensus rather than an individual decision.
As Umno delegates convene for the general assembly, the leadership is likely to use the occasion to further underscore the importance of cohesion and long-term planning, positioning the party to navigate both governance responsibilities and upcoming electoral contests.
Kamran (kfiverr21@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.