Zahid, who is Umno president, said by-elections were a test of cooperation and inter-party support to ensure the victory of coalition candidates, even if they are from different parties, as shown in several past by-elections.

In the current Sungai Bakap by-election, Penang Umno, supported by Umno members from Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak, were campaigning hard, even though the candidate is not from Umno, he said.

“We also faced the Pelangai by-election in Pahang (contested by Umno), where the Amanah president (Mohamad Sabu) campaigned for us daily. I also saw members of Amanah, PKR and DAP helping,” said Zahid.

“In the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor, the Umno machinery worked hard to ensure the victory of Amanah candidates, with support from DAP and PKR.

“Mat Sabu thanked us. This demonstrates the structured organisation of our machinery and the spirit of camaraderie among us,” he said when opening the Kuala Pilah Umno division’s annual meeting.

He urged all Umno members to ensure the party becomes a dominant force again in national politics.

He denied claims that Umno’s Malay and Islamic agenda has come under threat since the party joined the unity government. He said various allocations have been announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the purpose.

“In Parliament, when I brought up Cabinet papers, including those from my ministry of rural and regional development, Loke Siew Fook (DAP secretary-general) who sits on my right, and Nga Kor Ming (DAP vice-president), did not oppose but rather gave their support,” he said.