KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and Barisan Nasional's decision to join the unity government was the "best solution" in preventing bigger danger and harm from happening to the party.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno was already faced with a division among its members during the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
"The agenda to split the party was already in motion. This was the biggest harm to the party as the side effect was visible from the 15th General Election (GE15) results.
"We could not allow the agenda to divide the party from happening again, especially post GE15," he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly.
Zahid described the move to join the unity government with Pakatan Harapan as aligned with a hadith where it is preferable to avoid harm than to seek any good.
"Whatever that could harm the party and bring harm to its unity must be avoided and prevented," he said.
Zahid also said the party would be back stronger in the upcoming six state elections following their alliance in the unity government.
"InsyaAllah, with the cooperation of (parties in) the unity government we are able to face the six state elections in strength especially in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
"For Penang and Selangor, as well as Negeri Sembilan, we will be part of the state government again," he said.
