PETALING JAYA: Umno should maintain the status quo and support the Perikatan Nasional government until the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Jalaluddin Alias.

The Umno supreme council member said he had expressed his views on the importance for Umno, as one of the main parties, to remain within the current government and to be consistent in championing the welfare of the rakyat during this critical period.

"At the moment, the rakyat are still facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy is still slow and the pockets of the rakyat are still empty.

"On top of that, floods are raging in several states.

"All parties, especially the current government, have an important role in pushing all agendas to help the people," he said Thursday (Jan 7).

Umno had, on Wednesday (Jan 6), said after its supreme council meeting that several motions, including to sever ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in GE15, will be decided at the upcoming Umno general assembly on Jan 31.

Party information chief Shahril Hamdan said the council had refined all motions raised by its 189 divisions.

Among the motions brought up were strengthening Umno’s relations with PAS via Muafakat Nasional, taking into consideration the cooperation the two parties had formed in their 22 months as Opposition parties.

It also took note of calls to hold GE15 in the first quarter of 2021, subject to the Covid-19 situation.

The Jelebu MP said, at the same time, efforts to strengthen ties and relations within Muafakat Nasional must be doubled at all levels.

"No matter what happens, Umno has followed its tradition in the last 75 years, to become one of the backbone parties to fight for the interests and the struggle of the Malay and Muslim community," he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/01/07/umno039s-support-for-perikatan-should-remain-until-ge15-says-party-supreme-council-rep