KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has ruled out the formation of a Malay “grand coalition” as long as Umno continues its alliance with DAP.
Questioning the proposal put forward by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Muhyiddin said it was unclear whether the idea involved inviting all Malay-based parties to align under Umno — a move he described as difficult given Umno’s current ties with DAP.
“We cannot accept it. Or is Zahid now saying that he wants to part ways with Pakatan Harapan?” he said in an interview with selected members of the media last night.
Once long-time rivals, Umno and DAP are now allies within Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government and have cooperated in several state elections and by-elections.
Umno has rejected the “UmDAP” label, a term used by critics to suggest the party is subordinate to DAP.
Its deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, recently described the partnership as merely a “governing arrangement”.
Muhyiddin, who stepped down as Bersatu chairman earlier this month, also said Perikatan Nasional (PN) had not discussed joining any new coalition.
“Within PN, we have not discussed joining any group. We believe that any matter related to cooperation with parties outside the coalition must be discussed collectively and agreed upon. As of now, there is no such decision,” he said.
When asked whether he would meet Zahid, Muhyiddin said a meeting could take place, but only if Zahid clarified his intentions.
“Meetings can be held at any time, but first things first — I want to understand what he actually meant by his statement,” he said.
He added that any talks could not involve DAP unless there was a clear explanation and purpose.
“Unless he clearly explains that the purpose of the meeting is to explore political cooperation or something similar, I will not agree to any arrangement involving a party like DAP. It must be properly explained,” he said.
During Umno’s 2025 annual general assembly last week, Zahid proposed the formation of a “grand coalition” to unite Malay-Muslim parties under a single umbrella.
He insisted that the proposal would not undermine the unity government, saying the coalition would initially function as an informal alliance without requiring any party to dissolve.
Zahid also said no committee had been formed for the proposed collaboration, but Umno would seek meetings with the top leaders of other Malay and Islamic parties.
Previous efforts to unite Malay-Muslim parties include Muafakat Nasional, formed by Umno and PAS in 2019, as well as earlier initiatives led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. — January 22, 2026