Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, said he agreed with the views of the party leadership and grassroots members who voiced strong support for using the logo.

He also said Umno “does not reject” collaborating with the other parties in the unity government for GE16 to avoid conflict and secure voter support.

“This (process) must start now because we do not want to only build this ‘harmony’ during the election. It must be built from now,” he said at a press conference at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

In a Facebook post last August, Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said she wondered if it was time for Umno to contest under its own logo in future polls or continue to contest under the BN banner.

Her post led to criticism from MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker and MIC vice-president T Mohan, with Ti saying that she should not be making such remarks publicly and that the matter should be discussed among BN component parties.

However, Azalina has since said the suggestion was not an official stance of Umno.

Earlier, Zahid had given a briefing to delegates of the Umno general assembly and outlined five key guidelines for the party’s future.

Among the five guidelines include drawing lessons from reclaiming the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan and tailoring election strategies.

“This victory (in Nenggiri) clearly gives a new tone to the struggle of Umno leadership at all levels. If everyone unites and organises strategies properly, success will be ours, just as it was in Nenggiri,” Zahid said.

“If there is a by-election, state election, or even a general election, the approach must be tailored to the local politics.”

The Umno president also said the party would continue to promote its agenda while genuinely engaging with all ethnic and cultural groups.