Umno won’t ‘betray anyone’ or seek new PM before next general election, says Asyraf Wajdi

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki speaks during a press conference at the 2026 Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on September 12, 2026. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

By Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 2:48 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki today said the party would not seek to change the prime minister or form a new government before the next general election is called.

He said Umno remained committed to political stability and had yet to begin negotiations for the next general election.

“As long as the elections are not called, we will not ‘tebuk atap’ (form a backdoor government) or seek to change the prime minister,” he told reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of the 2026 Umno General Assembly today.

“We have not started negotiations for the next election. Talks will only begin after Parliament is dissolved, just as they did after the state legislative assemblies in Johor and Negri Sembilan were dissolved,” he said.

Asyraf Wajdi was responding to questions about remarks by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who yesterday appeared to criticise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s past election promise to rein in petrol prices within 24 hours and the flip-flop over the Budi95 fuel subsidy quota.

While the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) sits with Pakatan Harapan in the federal government, it governs Negri Sembilan with Islamist party PAS.

Speculation over Umno strengthening political ties with PAS intensified after PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and several other senior party leaders attended the Umno General Assembly yesterday.

Asyraf Wajdi also refuted claims that Umno would be committing a “betrayal” by seeking political cooperation with other parties.

“Umno isn’t betraying anyone. The agreement (to form the unity government) is only applicable until the next general election is called.

“After that, all parties are free to choose their own directions. I don’t expect even Sabah and Sarawak to want to be dictated to on who they should cooperate with,” he said.