UMNO has cautioned parties seeking to work with it against allowing outside influence to disrupt efforts to establish political cooperation.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the warning was based on the party’s past experiences, where attempts to build understanding and cooperation had repeatedly been derailed by third parties.
He said such interference could come from individuals within the parties involved or from external parties, particularly through public statements that could create unnecessary tension before formal discussions even begin.
“In today’s borderless world and social media environment, there are individuals who want to appear as heroes by making statements that go beyond the authority of their party’s top leadership, eventually causing unease within the party.
“So, I believe it is better not to use public platforms before negotiations or discussions begin,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi said party members should instead place their trust in their respective top leaderships to determine the best course of action, particularly amid public expectations for Malay-based political parties to work together and represent the interests of the community.
He stressed that any decision made should ultimately prioritise the welfare of the people and the country’s interests rather than individual or political ambitions.
Speaking at the four-level Kota Bharu UMNO Division Delegates Meeting, he also acknowledged that Barisan Nasional (BN) had been working with other parties in states such as Negeri Sembilan, but said UMNO remained cautious about such arrangements.
He said the party was open to cooperation in Johor and Negeri Sembilan because the parties involved had expressed their willingness to work together, but stressed that UMNO would not repeat mistakes from previous political alliances.
“We need to be careful because we do not want to be bitten by the same snake twice. During Muafakat Nasional, it was not us who betrayed them; they were the ones who left us.
“So, we are taking a cautious approach to ensure UMNO is not betrayed again because we have our dignity,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi said past experiences, including the collapse of Muafakat Nasional, served as a reminder that political cooperation required mutual trust, discipline and respect for the decisions of party leaderships.
