Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed reports of a growing rift with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, affirming Barisan Nasional’s support for the Unity Government.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has moved to dispel speculation of a growing rift with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, insisting that there is no friction between them, either behind closed doors or in government.
“I have no problem with the prime minister. I have no problem with him either personally or officially.
“There are no problems between us during Cabinet meetings or at official functions and events,” he was quoted as saying to the media after opening the National Orang Asli Sports Carnival at EduCity yesterday.
His comments came after Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that relations between the two leaders had become increasingly strained, with recent Cabinet meetings allegedly ending sooner than usual.
The report attributed the alleged tension partly to a decision by Barisan Nasional (BN) to oppose Pakatan Harapan in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections as well as pressure from DAP for institutional reforms to be pushed through by year-end.
The reforms could require a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, potentially putting Zahid’s political bloc in a pivotal position if Anwar seeks to amend the Federal Constitution, including to impose a limit on the prime minister’s tenure.
The speculation has also emerged against the backdrop of a more public disagreement over government spending.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, recently urged the Finance Ministry to speed up the disbursement of allocations, saying contractors who had completed projects were still waiting for payments and some were facing severe cash flow problems.
The Finance Ministry subsequently denied withholding rural road allocations, saying approved funds had been fully channelled and that the payment crunch was linked to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry having nearly exhausted its annual allocation.
Despite the speculation, Ahmad Zahid said BN remains committed to keeping the Unity government intact until the end of its term.
“The important thing for Barisan Nasional as one of the components of the Unity government is political stability in the country until the end of the term.”
With talk increasingly turning to GE16, Ahmad Zahid also sought to put the brakes on speculation over who could eventually lead the country.
He said it is far too early to name a prime ministerial candidate when there is still no certainty over when Parliament would be dissolved.
Ahmad Zahid said the political focus for now should be on the Malacca election.
