Kuala lumpur: UMNO does not wish to repeat past mistakes in forging cooperation with any opposition party at this time, party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that any decision would be examined thoroughly and cautiously to ensure the party is not 'bitten by the same snake for the second time in the same place'.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stated that the party is not looking to revive any previously proposed alliances without careful consideration. His remarks came in response to inquiries about the potential resumption of cooperation between UMNO and PAS under the Muafakat Nasional (MN) banner. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that although a resolution regarding this matter was presented by the UMNO Youth chief at the party's Political Bureau meeting, no definitive decision had been reached.

He clarified that the discussion was open but no conclusions were drawn. Last Saturday, UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Mohamad Akmal Saleh had tabled two motions at the UMNO Youth Special Convention-one for the resumption of cooperation with PAS and the other for UMNO to withdraw from the Unity Government and transition to the opposition.

Ahmad Zahid further mentioned that although no decision had been made on UMNO Youth's proposal for the party to leave the Unity Government, any such decision would be significant and announced when appropriate. He reiterated the importance of scrutinizing all views expressed by state representatives regarding potential political cooperation between UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) with the opposition, particularly involving PAS.

He reaffirmed UMNO's stance against any 'tebuk atap' tactics, underscoring the party's commitment to the current government. 'My position, and that of the party, has been clear from the beginning. We will never carry out a 'tebuk atap' against the existing government. We will remain with the Unity Government until the end of its term, before the 16th General Election,' Ahmad Zahid concluded.