Zahid rubbishes claims of growing tensions with Anwar

Zahid rubbishes claims of growing tensions with Anwar

3 hours ago

FMT Reporters

The Umno president also denies reports that Cabinet meetings are shorter than usual because of their strained ties.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second from left) sitting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and transport minister Loke Siew Fook at a Cabinet meeting. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied allegations that his relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become increasingly strained, saying their ties remain cordial.

Zahid was responding to a Bloomberg report citing sources as saying that tensions between him and Anwar were worsening, with recent Cabinet meetings taking place for shorter periods than usual.

Zahid, who is the Umno president, also said his relationship with DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook remained very good.

“Cabinet meetings have been ending at 1pm as usual, not as reported.

“I sat next to him (Anwar), to the prime minister’s right. Loke, the transport minister, was also seated next to me,” he was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying.

Bloomberg reported that the tension between the prime minister and his deputy stemmed from Zahid’s decision for Barisan Nasional to contest against Pakatan Harapan in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

The report also claimed that the situation was compounded by DAP’s pressure for institutional reforms to be implemented by year-end, while Anwar still needed BN’s support to secure a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to pass constitutional amendments.

Zahid, however, said BN would continue to honour its pledge to remain in the unity government until the end of the current term.

“Umno is a party that keeps its promises. The decision was made to remain until the end of the 15th Parliament’s term.

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“What is important is that we remain in the government, because that was the resolution unanimously adopted by Umno delegates at the previous general assembly,” he said.

Last month, former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said trust between Anwar and Zahid had hit its lowest point following BN’s decision to join forces with Perikatan Nasional for the Negeri Sembilan election.

Anwar brushed aside the claims and said that Khairy was only expressing his “personal view”.

 

Marina Ibrahim appointed special officer for Johor Orang Asli

Marina Ibrahim appointed special officer for Johor Orang Asli

3 hours ago

FMT Reporters

Menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi says she would serve as a special representative of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, to address the needs of the community.

Marina Ibrahim, a one-term Skudai assemblyman, announced her decision to step away from politics before the Johor state election and return to community work. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Former DAP assemblyman Marina Ibrahim has been appointed as a special officer for the Orang Asli community in the state under the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation.

Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the appointment at the National Orang Asli Sports Carnival at Educity in Iskandar Puteri yesterday.

He said Marina would serve as a special representative of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, to engage with and understand the needs of the state’s Orang Asli community.

“State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development executive councillor Israk Abdullah will also help look after the welfare of the Orang Asli community,” he said.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was confident Marina could play an effective role by visiting Orang Asli villages to gain a firsthand understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the community.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said such an approach was important to ensure that the Orang Asli community’s problems were identified and given due attention.

Marina, a one-term Skudai assemblyman under Pakatan Harapan, had announced her decision to not defend her seat and step away from politics before the Johor state election.

She said she had instead chosen to work directly with those in need, continuing the social work she had been passionate about long before entering politics.

Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching subsequently revealed that the party had planned to move Marina to contest the Tiram seat.

Marina stood in Skudai in the 2022 Johor polls, where she defeated Barisan Nasional’s Lim Soon Hai and Perikatan Nasional’s Khoo Keng Ek.

Anthony Loke says govt has 15 months to finish reforms, no need to rush GE16

Anthony Loke says govt has 15 months to finish reforms, no need to rush GE16



DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke speaks during the DAP Wanita National Congress at a hotel in Putrajaya on September 6, 2026. — Bernama pic


Summary

• DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke emphasized that there is no need to hasten the 16th general election, advocating for the unity government to focus on completing its reform agenda over the remaining 15 months.
• Amid calls for early dissolution of Parliament from figures like Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Loke underscored the importance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim maintaining majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
• Loke highlighted that the government is currently prioritizing economic revival, public well-being, and anti-corruption efforts.
• He also affirmed DAP's commitment to the agreed reforms, including key constitutional amendments.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Sunday, 06 Sep 2026 12:55 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, Sept 6 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today said there is no need to rush into the 16th general election, with the unity government still having 15 months to complete its reform agenda.

His remarks came amid calls from several quarters for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament early and pave the way for GE16, including from Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.


“Following the recent state elections in Johor and Melaka, we have heard a great deal of news and voices from various parties and quarters pressuring the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for the 16th general election,” he was quoted by The Star as saying at the Wanita DAP national congress here.


Loke said DAP’s position was that Anwar should not give in to such pressure as long as he retained majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.


“We have the remaining 15 months to complete the reforms,” he added.


He said the unity government was formed following the 15th general election in 2022 and should be allowed to use the remainder of its current term to deliver on its commitments.

Anwar has said the proposal for an earlier election could be considered, but that the government was currently focused on reviving the economy, improving public well-being and fighting corruption and abuse of power.


Loke said political differences between parties in the unity government did not mean they were no longer able to govern together.

“As long as every party still sticks to the government, then in terms of governance, we should be able to govern the country,” he said.

He said DAP had yet to decide whether to work with BN in the Melaka state election, adding that it was not involved in negotiations between Pakatan Harapan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Loke, who is also the transport minister, said DAP remains focused on reforms already agreed upon by the Cabinet, including constitutional amendments involving the separation of the attorney general and public prosecutor roles and a proposed term limit for the prime minister.