Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied allegations that his relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become increasingly strained, saying their ties remain cordial.
Zahid was responding to a Bloomberg report that cited sources as saying tensions between him and Anwar were worsening, with recent Cabinet meetings reportedly ending earlier than usual.
Zahid, who is Umno president, also said his relationship with DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook remained very good.
“Cabinet meetings have been ending at 1pm as usual, not as reported.
“I sat next to him (Anwar), to the prime minister’s right. Loke, the transport minister, was also seated next to me,” he was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying.
Dispute over state election strategy
Bloomberg reported that the alleged tension between the prime minister and his deputy stemmed from Zahid’s decision for Barisan Nasional to contest against Pakatan Harapan in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
The report also said the situation was compounded by DAP’s push for institutional reforms to be implemented by year-end.
At the same time, Anwar still needed BN’s support to secure a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to pass constitutional amendments, according to the report.
Zahid, however, said BN would continue to honour its pledge to remain in the unity government until the end of the current term.
“Umno is a party that keeps its promises. The decision was made to remain until the end of the 15th Parliament’s term.
“What is important is that we remain in the government, because that was the resolution unanimously adopted by Umno delegates at the previous general assembly,” he said.
Khairy previously raised trust concerns
Last month, former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said trust between Anwar and Zahid had reached its lowest point following BN’s decision to join forces with Perikatan Nasional for the Negeri Sembilan election.
Anwar dismissed the claim, saying Khairy was merely expressing his “personal view”.
