Zahid said that in yesterday’s political bureau meeting, Akmal had presented the resolution reached at Saturday’s special convention, which was openly discussed by Umno’s leadership.

He said the party would not abandon its coalition partners in the Madani government and dismissed “past proposals that never materialised”, referring to cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional (MN).

“From the start, we never considered quitting the current government, and we will remain part of this unity government until the end of its term,” he told a press conference at the rural and regional development ministry’s headquarters here.

On Saturday, Akmal called for the party to withdraw its support for the unity government and join the opposition, citing repeated violations of “red lines” involving 3R matters pertaining to race, religion and royalty.

He said the Malays were angered by the “Allah” socks and upside-down flag incidents, but that those penalised were the ones “defending” Islam and the Jalur Gemilang. He said the Malays were also upset when alcohol was served at a government event.

Zahid said calls for cooperation with PAS through MN, which resurfaced following the political crisis in Perlis at the end of last year, must be carefully examined.

“We want to move beyond nostalgia, that’s why it’s important to consider any move carefully. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” he said.

MN was a short-lived political alliance formed by PAS and Umno in September 2019 with the intention of consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote.

Akmal had proposed that Perikatan Nasional (PN) be dissolved and MN revived following the political turmoil in Perlis.

The suggestion was welcomed by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who said MN could be relaunched after Umno and Barisan Nasional leave the unity government.