Barisan Nasional (BN) does not allow any attempt to set up a new government via the 'back door', said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi late Saturday.

He clarified that this was because the current BN government was chosen democratically through a general election (GE).

"What is the use of being given power if we don't know how to use the mandate given to us via the general election?

"BN must be united so that the present government continues to be upheld by UMNO and BN," he said when opening the Penampang UMNO delegates meeting here.

Ahmad Zahid said, although according to the Federal Constitution, the setting up of a new government was allowed via a simple majority of 112 votes in the Dewan rakyat, there are 133 Members of Parliament from among BN who formed the absolute strength obtained via the 13th GE.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister also reminded the people to reject any attempt to set up a unity government as what had transpired in Perak after the 12th GE.

"Although, it was PAS which was helming the Perak state government, they appeared as if led by the nose because DAP was the backbone of the government of Perak," he explained.

He was also confident of Sabah's support for the existing government.

"I am confident Sabah is strong and have a strong conscience to support the government leadership because Sabah is the BN government's fixed deposit," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister pledged to go down to the ground to help BN candidates in Penampang at the coming GE.

In the 13th GE, the Penampang parliamentary seat fell to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) while the Moyoq and Kepayan state seats each went to PKR and DAP.