KUALA LUMPUR 28, 2026 — UMNO has authorised its state leadership to negotiate electoral cooperation with other parties, while inviting PAS’s top leaders to its upcoming general assembly, following a Supreme Council meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The meeting, held on the night of 28 August at Menara Dato’ Onn in the World Trade Centre, also restated the party’s position on the rule of law and confirmed the appointment of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim to the Supreme Council.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki told reporters that any talks on cooperation for coming elections “must be based on sincerity and trust, not by threatening.” The party did not name a preferred partner.
The decision comes as Melaka prepares for a state election that could be called soon. The current assembly’s term ends on 31 December, and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has said dissolution could happen “at any time.” Barisan Nasional has said it will defend all 21 seats it won in 2021 and treats that as a non-negotiable condition in any pact. Both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional have been discussed as possible partners.
The council agreed to send an official invitation to PAS’s top leadership for the UMNO General Assembly from 9 to 12 September. Asyraf said the move was a gesture of respect and a response to PAS’s earlier invitation for UMNO leaders to attend its 72nd muktamar in Kota Bharu from 2 to 5 September. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has said cooperation with UMNO is expected to be among the mandatory motions at that gathering.
Three public programmes will be held a day before the assembly, on 8 September: the 2026 Malay Education Convention, the Malaysian Islamic Scholars Convention (Multaqa Ilmuwan Islam Malaysia), and Laman Wanita Kreatif.
In a media statement posted by Zahid, UMNO also said it had taken note of academic and agency studies pointing to Malay public sentiment in favour of “penyatuan ummah” (Muslim unity) and of treating Malay interests as a foundation of political stability.
The same statement stressed that the rule of law must be upheld and that no person should be treated as guilty until charged, tried and convicted by a competent court. It said attempts to shame or create the impression that someone newly detained for investigation is already guilty run against the presumption of innocence.
UMNO said it would not defend misconduct, abuse or deviation by anyone, including its own members and leaders, who must face the legal process.
The wording did not name a specific case. It comes amid public debate over inquiries involving government-linked institutions, including the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry.
The meeting also administered the oath of office to Datuk Ismail Lasim as a Supreme Council member. Ismail, 67, was sworn in on 2 August as Negeri Sembilan’s ninth Menteri Besar after Barisan Nasional won 18 of 36 seats in the state election and formed a government with Perikatan Nasional, which won seven. He is the Juasseh assemblyman, Kuala Pilah UMNO division chief, and a former state executive councillor.
The council did not announce a final alliance for Melaka. That choice now sits with state leaders, subject to the national condition that any deal rest on mutual trust rather than pressure.
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