{
  "id": 6881428,
  "title": "Umno won’t ‘betray anyone’ or seek new PM before next general election, says Asyraf Wajdi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/umno-wont-betray-anyone-or-seek-new-pm-before-next-general-election",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T06:48:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/12/umno-wont-betray-anyone-or-seek-new-pm-before-next-general-election-says-asyraf-wajdi/234941"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, September 12 — The secretary-general of Umno, Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, declared on Thursday that the party would refrain from attempting to replace the Prime Minister or establish a new government prior to the upcoming general election. He expressed Umno's dedication to political stability and affirmed that they have not yet commenced discussions regarding the next general election. When questioned at a press conference following the 2026 Umno General Assembly, Asyraf Wajdi stated, \"Provided the elections remain unannounced, we will not establish a 'tebuk atap' (backdoor government) or endeavor to alter the Prime Minister.\" He added, \"We have not initiated talks concerning the next election. Conversations will commence only upon the dissolution of Parliament, akin to what transpired after the dissolution of state legislative assemblies in Johor and Negri Sembilan.\" Asyraf Wajdi addressed inquiries about remarks made by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's prior promise to address petrol prices within 24 hours and the fluctuation over the Budi95 fuel subsidy quota. While Umno collaborates with Pakatan Harapan in the federal government, it concurrently governs Negri Sembilan alongside the Islamist party PAS. Speculation regarding Umno bolstering political bonds with PAS surged following the attendance of PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and several other senior PAS officials at the Umno General Assembly. Asyraf Wajdi dismissed assertions that Umno would be betraying anyone by pursuing political partnerships with other parties. \"Umno is not betraying anyone. The pact (to form the unity government) is only valid until the next general election is declared. \"Following that, all parties are at liberty to pursue their preferred paths. I do not anticipate even Sabah and Sarawak to desire being instructed on whom they should cooperate with,\" he concluded.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki today said the party would not seek...",
  "key_points": [
    "Umno party leader Asyraf Wajdi declares no PM replacement before next election",
    "Party not initiating talks about next election",
    "Umno-Pakatan Harapan unity government valid until election"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Umno's commitment to not seek a new prime minister or government before the next general election signals a prioritization of political stability, allowing all parties to pursue their preferred paths afterwards.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Umno won’t ‘betray anyone’ or seek new PM before next general election, says Asyraf Wajdi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/umno-wont-betray-anyone-or-seek-new-pm-before-next-general-election-6882472",
        "published": "2026-09-12T06:48:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}