JOHOR BARU: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has likened Barisan Nasional’s position in the Federal Government to being “in the middle of a sandwich”, saying the coalition chose to set aside political differences to ensure the country remained stable.
The Umno president said the Unity Government was formed out of necessity following the 15th General Election, after no coalition secured a simple majority to form the government on its own.
As Barisan chairman, Ahmad Zahid said he accepted the responsibility professionally despite having to work alongside parties that had previously been political rivals.
“At the Federal level, I am like a sandwich. On one side is Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and on the other is DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
“But I remain professional. This government was formed on the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the sake of the people and the country,” he he said in his speech during a Barisan ceramah held at Kota Masai on Friday night (June 3).
Ahmad Zahid said many people failed to appreciate that 112 parliamentary seats were needed to form the government after the 2022 general election.
Although Barisan won only 30 seats, he said the coalition made a collective decision to support the formation of a stable administration and prevent the country from slipping into prolonged political uncertainty.
“They (Pakatan Harapan) should be thankful to Barisan because without our 30 seats, they would not have had enough numbers to form the government,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid added the political situation in Johor differed from that at the Federal level, as the state government was led entirely by Barisan while the coalition remained a component of the Unity Government in Putrajaya.
He said this demonstrated that Barisan was capable of fulfilling its responsibilities effectively at both the state and Federal levels without compromising the interests of the people.
