Anwar dismisses revival of Muafakat Nasional as unity government holds firm

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday reaffirmed that the Unity Government under his leadership remains intact, describing recent calls by certain political figures to revive Muafakat Nasional as not yet serious.

Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Jumhuriah, Anwar said he had not received any formal information regarding proposals to resurrect the Malay-Muslim political pact between UMNO and PAS.

“That is not serious yet. I have not received any information. It is up to each party,” he said. “What is important now is that the unity government remains intact and everyone has pledged to focus on economic growth and safeguarding the welfare of the people until the next general election.”

Earlier, Anwar spent about 25 minutes having lunch with local residents at a nearby eatery, engaging informally with members of the community before performing Friday prayers.

Commenting on the internal tensions between opposition parties Bersatu and PAS, which have prompted renewed discussion among some UMNO and PAS leaders about reviving Muafakat Nasional, Anwar made clear that such developments posed no threat to his administration.

“That is a matter of their own ambitions and fears. Whether they split is not my concern. We are not involved,” he said. “That is Pas and Bersatu’s issue, not the Unity Government’s.”

Muafakat Nasional, formed in 2019, was a political alliance between UMNO and PAS aimed at consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote and coordinating electoral strategies. However, the pact effectively stalled after PAS chose to align with Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional ahead of the 15th General Election.

While calls to revive Muafakat Nasional have resurfaced amid friction within Perikatan Nasional and broader political manoeuvring, Anwar stressed that such suggestions remain the views of individual leaders and have yet to translate into official decisions by any party.

For now, he said, the Unity Government’s priority remains firmly on governance, economic recovery and the wellbeing of Malaysians, with coalition partners committed to working together until the next general election. - January 2, 2026