KUALA LUMPUR: Two Umno Supreme Council members said they have no issues with the party collaborating with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election.
Datuk Puad Zarkashi said he was confident that there would be no issue with grassroots members accepting this.
He said Barisan Nasional had made its clear that it would continue to use the BN "dacing" symbol, as was seen in the recent Nenggiri by-election.
"In his keynote speech (at the Umno General Assembly), party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mentioned the concept of probabilistic politics (politik kebarangkalian).
"Contesting solo depends on the current situation if no other options are available.
"Collaboration with PH and power-sharing in the government are ongoing.
"If this cooperation endures, it is possible that contesting solo may no longer be a viable option.
"Umno is a dynamic party. Zahid elaborated on this in his speech.
"Since it was debated by state representatives and approved, I am confident that there will be no issues with grassroots members accepting this if Umno continues its cooperation with PH."
Puad said Umno wouldn't work with parties that failed to respect the rights of Malays and the position of Islam.
"If PH acts against this, Umno will leave PH and is ready to find new partners or contest solo."
On Aug 23, Zahid, who's also BN chairman, said in his policy speech that Umno might consider not going solo in the general election.
He later clarified that this approach was aimed at preventing seat overlaps with unity government parties, and that it would continue using the BN "dacing" symbol.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani had also said there was no need for Umno to go it alone in the general election.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the party leadership would decide if the party should go it alone when the time came.
Earlier today (Aug 25), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PH was open to discussing collaboration with BN for the general election.
He said now would be the time for parties in the unity government to find their tempo and compatibility with each other to win the election and form the federal government.
Meanwhile, Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said he hoped BN could win more seats by reclaiming those held by PN.