Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said the current cooperation within the unity government remains stable, despite minor differences on certain issues.

“Bersatu needs to wait and be patient. Any potential cooperation with them will only be reconsidered if problems arise between Umno and PH.

“At the moment, Umno is comfortable working with PH. The party’s role is appreciated, and there is no backstabbing aimed at destroying Umno. While differences exist, they are not significant enough to sideline the party,” he told FMT.

Puad was responding to Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin’s remarks about his party’s openness to working with Umno to achieve their shared political goals.

In a podcast aired last Friday, the opposition leader said there was no reason for the two parties to remain divided if they share similar political struggles and objectives.

Puad, who is also the Rengit assemblyman, said Umno’s current reluctance to collaborate with Bersatu should not be mistaken for arrogance.

“Rather, it is Bersatu that has been arrogant, assuming that Umno could be easily wiped out.

“In my view, Bersatu members, including Hamzah, Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin Ali, would be better off returning to Umno, just like Semangat 46 did,” he said, referring to Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s party, which rejoined Umno in 1996.

Umno’s ulama council deputy chairman, Khairuddin Aman Razali, said efforts to strengthen Malay and Islamic unity should involve all relevant parties.

“I believe unity should be built through dialogue rather than accusations over political differences. It should include Umno, PAS, Bersatu, Amanah and PKR.

“The key condition for unity is sincerity in serving the people, without seeking to cause division within partnering parties. The focus should be on common ground rather than differences,” he said.