KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 11): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that there must be “no betrayal” in political understanding — a thinly veiled swipe at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Any political understanding must be honoured both inside and outside meetings, Zahid said in his presidential policy speech at the Umno annual assembly on Friday. He cautioned against building an understanding during the day while planning to bring down one’s partner at night.
“Do not call it the Malaysian unity government as agreed upon in the agreement, only for it to be changed to the Madani government in the end,” he said.
WATCH: Zahid takes indirect swipe at Anwar
The Madani government is the slogan of the current multi-party administration led by Anwar, with Zahid serving as his deputy.
Zahid’s decision to have Barisan Nasional, of which Umno is the lynchpin, contest against Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan in several state elections recently has reportedly angered the prime minister.
Bloomberg reported that relations between Anwar and Zahid have deteriorated in past weeks with the two men barely seen speaking to each other. Anwar has previously denied that there is a rift in the Cabinet and assured that cooperation among ministers remains strong.
On Friday, Zahid also rejected claims that Umno had engineered any political move to topple the unity government, while issuing what appeared to be a veiled warning that the party could do so if it wanted.
“We never intended to ‘tebuk atap’ (bring down the government). If they want us to do that, we have other ways to take action,” he said, drawing applause and cheers from delegates.
Zahid also said the party is ready to “fight” as several Umno leaders have been charged, arrested or investigated over alleged mismanagement of funds at Lembaga Tabung Haji.
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