BN remains committed to unity govt until term ends, says Zahid
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Barisan Nasional remains committed to ensuring the stability of the unity government until the end of its term, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Dismissing claims of a rift between him and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ahmad Zahid said he does not have any problems with the Prime Minister, either personally or in an official capacity.
“What is important for Barisan as one of the components of the unity government is ensuring political stability in the country,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the national Orang Asli sports carnival yesterday.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Barisan chairman, said this when asked to comment on a report claiming that his relationship with Anwar had deteriorated in recent weeks.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the government continued to make decisions professionally.
“There are no problems when we are in Cabinet meetings or at official events involving ministries, departments and agencies at the federal level.
“We carry out the decision-making process and reach decisions professionally.
“The Umno general assembly resolution has determined that we will remain in the unity government until the end of its term,” he said.
The Umno president added that maintaining political stability was important to avoid uncertainty, particularly among foreign investors, while supporting foreign direct investment and the country’s economic growth.
On Friday, Bloomberg reported that ties between Anwar, who is also PKR president and Pakatan Harapan chairman, and Ahmad Zahid had deteriorated in recent weeks, citing people familiar with the matter.
On another development, Ahmad Zahid said it was too early to name a Prime Minister candidate for the 16th General Election (GE16).
“We do not know when Parliament will be dissolved. I think it is better for us to put the matter aside for now.
“We should focus on facing the Melaka state election first and after that, we can discuss matters related to the federal level,” he said in response to remarks by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang that the party had its own Prime Minister candidate for GE16.
Asked about negotiations involving Barisan ahead of the Melaka polls, Ahmad Zahid said discussions would only take place after the state assembly was dissolved.
On an unrelated matter, Ahmad Zahid said he was confident that former Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim would be able to play an effective role as the special officer of Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor for Orang Asli matters.
“I am sure she will go to the ground, including visiting some 60 Orang Asli villages in Johor, to better understand the problems faced by the villagers,” he said, adding that her new role would help improve the development and well-being of the Orang Asli community.
Earlier in his speech, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that the former DAP assemblyman had been appointed as a special officer for the foundation.
Onn Hafiz said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and Johor Sultan had given consent for Marina to oversee matters involving the Orang Asli community in Johor under the foundation.
She served one term as Skudai assemblyman after winning the seat in the 2022 Johor state election before announcing her retirement from politics on May 31.
