IPOH: The term "UMDAP" (UMNO-DAP) has never existed within the unity government and is merely political propaganda by opponents aiming to discredit the two political parties, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The unity government, he said, was formed through a coalition between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH), which includes DAP.
"The issue of 'UMDAP' is propaganda from our political opponents, and we must consistently counter it with the fact that UMDAP does not exist.
"What exists is BN-PH. DAP is part of PH, just as MCA, MIC, and PBRS are part of BN.
"When the Prime Minister and I emphasise the Islamic or Malay agenda as a national agenda, including the directive for me to chair the Bumiputera Economic Congress, there has been no opposition from DAP because the Bumiputera agenda is a national agenda.
"DAP supports this agenda, even at the cabinet level. We must not fall for opposition propaganda," he said during his speech at the launch of the Perak BN Convention here today.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Meanwhile, Zahid said that BN is indebted to PH for its sincerity in the cooperation between the two political pacts in the government.
He said that although BN only won 30 parliamentary seats, it was given seven full ministerial positions and six deputy ministerial positions, compared to DAP, which won 40 seats but was only given five full ministerial positions.
"This is the reality of the new politics. The unity government did not first exist in Putrajaya but in Perak. Saarani's position as Menteri Besar reflects the sincerity of PH allies.
"The same applies to Pahang. BN holds fewer seats than PH, but Alhamdulillah, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy continues to be supported by PH to serve as menteri besar in Pahang," he said.