Nazri Abdul Aziz has claimed that "the majority of Umno MPs" has signed a statutory declaration (SD) to empower its party president to negotiate with Pakatan Harapan parties or PAS, in its bid to return to government.

In a report by the Malay Mail yesterday, the Padang Rengas MP was quoted saying that the SD would enable Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to talk with non-BN component parties.

On the 'Port Dickson move' orchestrated by PKR to enable the possible comeback for Anwar Ibrahim, Nazri reportedly said it would be unwise for Umno to sour ties with the former by contesting in Port Dickson.

However, other Umno MPs approached by the English daily did not elaborate on Nazri's SD claim.

“I cannot comment on this. These things are not meant to be shared with the public. It is up to the leadership to decide what’s best for the party,” Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa was quoted saying.

This sentiment was shared by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, who added: "But I feel that Umno should convene a leadership meeting as soon as possible and decide whether or not to contest the Port Dickson seat, just like PAS did... they decided and with that, the debate for them ended there."

Nazri had told Malaysiakini yesterday that he would even campaign for Anwar in the Port Dickson by-election, triggered after PKR incumbent MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat for Anwar, who is also PKR president-elect.

"I don't foresee Umno being in government in the near future but there is some common thinking among Umno MPs that we should come back into government as early as possible.

"The only way to do that is to work with PKR," Nazri had said.