KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi challenged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to call a general election for a fresh mandate, or else formally remove Barisan Nasional (BN) from the government and hold a no-confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat.

BN pushed back against calls for the party to leave the ruling coalition, reminding critics that Umno’s support had been instrumental in forming the government, Zahid said in his winding-up speech at Umno's general assembly on Saturday. 

“There are only two options. First, seek a fresh mandate by holding a general election. Second, formally remove us and hold a no-confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said, followed by repeated chants of 'bubar' (dissolve) from the hall. “This unity government came into being because of Umno. The prime minister became the prime minister because of Umno’s support”.

Those challenging Umno to leave the unity goverment must be prepared to face the consequences, said the deputy prime minister.

BN's role in sustaining the current coalition could not be taken for granted, he added.

According to him, the coalition was supposed to be formally known as the Malaysian unity government, based on the agreement on the cooperation.

Zahid also asserted Umno’s right to determine its own political direction, saying other parties should not dictate how it manages its affairs. “This house has an owner. Umno’s house has an owner. Its owners are Umno members throughout the country,” he said.

“We have not tried in the slightest to teach other parties how to run their affairs. We have only discussed how to strengthen Umno, stand up for the people and face GE16 (the 16th general election),” Zahid said, adding that Umno had its own principles, identity and direction, and did not need to imitate other parties. 

During the speech, Zahid brought up that cooperation in governing the country did not mean surrendering the party’s future. “Cooperation is not surrender,” he said, repeating the phrase a few times. “We can cooperate without losing our identity.”

Turning to the coming Melaka state election, Zahid urged members to maintain the unity and momentum behind the party’s successes in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. He said that internal strength would be crucial to carrying those gains and ensuring Umno remains a relevant political force.

At a press conference afterwards, Zahid maintained that Umno would remain in the unity government despite issuing what appeared to be an ultimatum to Anwar.

He said this is in line with the resolution passed at the Umno general assembly previously that the party would continue supporting the existing unity government until the end of its term.

Zahid was responding to a question on whether Umno plans to table a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes on Oct 5.

He also said Umno Cabinet ministers are professional enough to manage differences of opinion within the unity government.

“Our position is that differences of opinion must be respected. Likewise, we respect the differences of opinion expressed by them,” he said.

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