KUALA LUMPUR – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has said it is open to a proposal by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for a grand coalition involving Malay-Muslim parties, but will only consider it once full details are provided.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party has yet to receive any formal briefing on the proposal and has not mandated any of its leaders to engage in negotiations with Umno.
He stressed that the matter has not been discussed at any meeting of the Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council.
“Any cross-party discussions involving cooperation between Bersatu and Umno must be conducted through official party channels and involve the top leadership of both parties,” he said in a statement today.
Muhyiddin added that such discussions must be transparent and take into account all relevant factors, including the views of other Perikatan Nasional component parties, as well as Umno’s position within the unity government.
During his winding-up speech at the 79th Umno General Assembly yesterday, Zahid proposed the formation of a grand coalition of Malay-Muslim parties aimed at strengthening unity among the Malays.
While few details were provided, Zahid emphasised that the initiative was not a revival of Muafakat Nasional.
Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said later clarified that the proposal was not intended to be a political coalition. – January 18, 2026