SEREMBAN, Dec 22 — Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties must address disagreements internally and avoid making public statements, chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today at the opening of the coalition’s Negeri Sembilan convention.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, stressed that teamwork is vital for the coalition’s future success, The Star reported this evening.

"The MCA and MIC have remained our most loyal friends and if any of us has a differing view, we can always discuss this internally rather than make public statements.

"In Barisan, teamwork is of utmost importance if we wish to be dominant again,” he was quoted as saying.

Using a football analogy, Zahid explained the importance of unity, saying that each member of a team has a role to play and that "the most important thing is that we cannot score an own goal”.

"This happened in GE15 and we all saw the outcome,” he added, referring to the outcome of GE15 in 2022 when the BN won only 30 seats out of the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, its worst electoral showing ever.

Zahid also reiterated that BN must remain part of the unity government to regain its political strength.

"Our political rivals from the Opposition are always seeking ways to undo this cooperation,” he was quoted as saying.