Umno to keep working with PAS, Bersatu in Perak, says top council

Top Umno leaders today decided to maintain the status quo in Perak, saying the party would continue to defend the state coalition government together with PAS and Bersatu.

The Umno Supreme Council meeting tonight put to rest speculation that the Malay party could work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form a new state government, following the ouster of Ahmad Faizal Azumu as menteri besar.

Faizal was ousted last week after Umno and PH assemblymen voted against a confidence motion on him.

This was followed by criticism of Umno from PAS and Bersatu.

Tonight’s decision came ahead of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s audience with Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah tomorrow.

It is understood that Zahid will submit the name of the Umno assemblyman to replace Faizal as the state MB.

Zahid had earlier said Umno was open to working with PH in the event that it fails to obtain support from PAS and Bersatu, who have condemned the plot against Faizal and threatened to stay out of any new state government.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Council today announced that all 191 divisions nationwide would hold their delegates meetings between Jan 1 and 3 next year.

It also announced the Umno general assembly to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre on Jan 31, adding that the meeting will be streamed online as physical attendance will be limited.