Anwar said the focus should remain on economic growth and addressing the people’s concerns rather than political manoeuvring.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has maintained that there were elements amounting to a form of betrayal that undermined coalition stability in Negeri Sembilan, even as Umno argued that no issue of betrayal arises once a state government has completed its term.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said political cooperation must be safeguarded against internal manoeuvres that could destabilise an administration, adding that such actions, based on past experience, could be construed as a form of betrayal.
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“I have stated that in ensuring the success of cooperation in this country through the PH-Barisan Nasional unity government, there should be no elements of betrayal. If there is no betrayal, then that is good.
“But in our experience in Negeri Sembilan, while there was political stability and economic stability, there were efforts to bring down the government.
“So to me, that is a bit of betrayal,” he told reporters after the 10th annual general meeting of Koperasi Professional Putrajaya Berhad in Putrajaya today.
His remarks came after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dismissed claims of betrayal, saying the issue should not arise once a state or national administration has reached the end of its mandate.
Zahid had said Umno’s support for the Negeri Sembilan government remained consistent throughout the full term and that no betrayal had occurred as the administration had simply completed its mandate.
Negeri Sembilan caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun had earlier accused Umno of betraying its allies, claiming that a letter allegedly written by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to PAS leaders indicated discussions between Perikatan Nasional and Umno on efforts to remove him as menteri besar.
Commenting on Johor and the timing of elections, Anwar said the focus should remain on economic growth and addressing the people’s concerns rather than political manoeuvring.
“In the case of Johor, it is up to them if they want to hold elections earlier. But I have said our focus is on generating economic growth and addressing the people’s problems.
“If we spend the next three to four months only talking about elections when we are facing economic challenges, then that is not helpful. We should focus,” he said.
Anwar also stressed the importance of strengthening understanding and consensus within political coalitions.
“If there is no betrayal, then fine. But we must increase understanding of why cooperation and consensus are important, and when there is a need for elections, then let it be,” he added.
Separately, at the same event, Anwar called for governance and accountability to remain central to cooperative and economic development, stressing that sound management is essential to ensuring broader public benefit.
He said well-managed cooperatives generally perform better, adding that issues such as corruption, power distribution and governance should not be taken lightly.
“In cooperatives in this country, if they are managed well, performance will be good. That is why issues such as corruption and the distribution of power in government are important, even if some people take them lightly.
“If these are not corrected, even large amounts of funds will not benefit the public, but only a small group,” he said.
Anwar said the principle of good governance must be upheld by all parties, including cooperatives, to ensure that profits and wealth generated are distributed fairly among members and the wider community.
He said this approach is in line with the values of justice and compassion (ihsan), which form the foundation of the current administration.
