ISTANBUL: Barisan Nasional (BN) has dismissed claims that the issue surrounding the conditional pardon and house arrest for Datuk Seri Najib Razak has caused a rift with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said coalitions continue to work professionally despite differing views, adding that Malaysia’s political maturity was at an almost optimum level.
“There is no problem between us. We run our ministries and sit in Cabinet every week, and the work of government is carried out professionally.
“There have been no differences of opinion, let alone disputes, in more than four years.
“The professionalism we practise is based not only on official duties, but also on other tasks that we carry out,” he told Malaysian media here.
Zahid was asked whether the issue surrounding Najib’s conditional pardon and house arrest could further strain BN–PH ties in the unity government.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, acknowledged that differences in views and party positions existed, but said these were managed as best as possible.
He said differences at the state level, particularly in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, had not affected BN-PH cooperation at the federal level.
“In my view, despite the different political moves, it will not affect the political stability of our country,” he said.
Asked about calls for BN to withdraw support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zahid said the issue did not arise as the recent Umno General Assembly resolution had decided that BN would remain in the unity government until the end of the term.
However, he said when the term would end was up to the prime minister, as head of the 15th Parliament, and the political situation at the time.
“When that time comes, we will, of course, go our separate political ways.
“But it is not impossible that after the election, a formula and political steps will need to be negotiated and finalised later,” he said.