He added that it is “impossible” for Umno to make a hasty decision to contest solo at the next general election, which is due by 2027, considering it has lost more than half of its seats at the 2022 general election, Sinar Harian reported.

“If we have returned to our former glory, why not (contest solo)? We will evaluate ourselves when the time comes. The priority now is to strengthen and rejuvenate the party,” Mohamad was quoted as saying after opening the Johor Bahru Umno delegates conference.

Umno, the dominant partner in the Barisan Nasional coalition, won only 26 seats in 2022, with other partners winning four seats. The total of 30 seats is a sharp decline from its previous 58 seats.

Mohamad, also known as Tot Mat, urged party members to put aside their differences to prepare the party for the next general election. He said internal division had weakened Umno’s efforts to strengthen the party.

“Such matters should not be happening because the next general election is not that far off. It will be called in 2027 or even earlier, while Umno is still internally divided,” he said. “Let us close ranks and become the champion of Malays, this is our heritage.”

Don’t let opposition derail SEZ

Mohamad also urged Johor Umno to defend their majority position in the state assembly and continue leading Johor, to ensure that the state government’s effort in developing the state would not fall into the hands of the opposition.

“The formula for us to remain strong is to avoid disputes or disagreements that can cause internal division.

“We are worried that everything that is being done by us to develop the state, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will be derailed and (the opposition) will claim this as their effort,” he was quoted as saying.

BN holds 40 out of 56 seats in the Johor legislative assembly, while Umno is the biggest party with 33 seats.