“I have said previously that anything is possible. But for now, the Malay community still views DAP as a Chinese-based racist party. Hard to accept,” Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said in an exclusive interview with FMT.

However, he said cooperation in the future was possible if the DAP became “more moderate”.

The DAP had rejected accusations in the past that it was a racist party and often compares itself to Umno and PAS which are essentially Malay parties based on the vast majority of its membership.

Tajuddin, who is Pasir Salak MP, said the Malays were aware of the need to have a new “political ideology” that would be good for the country, especially to reduce racial conflict.

“Even now, some Malays are seeing the need for a new kind of politics. Malays and non-Malays, there is no need to quarrel. It does not benefit the country,” he added.

According to Tajuddin, the new thinking was that it might be possible for Umno to work with other parties, including the DAP, to create a conducive environment for the country’s development.

Last weekend, during the Umno annual general assembly, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had openly declared the “No DAP, no Anwar” mantra, saying there will be no cooperation with these two political rivals ahead of the next general election (GE15).

Umno also passed a resolution to end cooperation with PPBM once Parliament is dissolved.

Ketereh MP Annuar Musa had accused Umno leaders of working together with PKR and DAP but it was denied by the Umno leadership.