Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims that his relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reached its lowest point since the Unity Government was formed in 2022.
Anwar described the remarks by former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin as a personal assessment, saying the two viewed the political situation from different perspectives.
“He sees conflict. I see peace,” the PKR president told reporters after officiating the party’s congress.
Khairy had claimed in a podcast aired yesterday that Barisan Nasional’s decision to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional in the Negeri Sembilan state election had caused a “massive rupture” between BN and Pakatan Harapan.
The BN-PN alliance went on to secure 25 seats in the election, while PH won the remaining 11 seats.
Anwar, however, pointed to his own remarks during the PKR congress, where he thanked Zahid and Umno for their contribution towards establishing the Unity Government.
He said Zahid’s role as Umno president and BN chairman had been important in bringing the coalition government together following the 2022 general election.
“That was why I thanked him earlier. In my speech, I spoke about the role of Zahid and Umno, as well as his role as BN chairman, in forging the Unity Government,” he said.
Asked whether his relationship with Zahid remained strong at the national level, Anwar acknowledged that there were some differences at the state level but described them as normal within a broader political partnership.
“There are some minor issues at the state level. That is normal,” he said.
Anwar’s response comes amid continued political discussion over the future direction of cooperation between parties in the Unity Government, particularly following developments at the state level.
