Anwar Dismisses Rift With Deputy Zahid
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- Anwar Ibrahim dismissed claims of a rift with Deputy PM Zahid Hamidi at the 2026 PKR national congress in Melaka, saying he prefers a "peaceful approach" over a "confrontational approach."
- Khairy Jamaluddin claimed on his Keluar Sekejap podcast that trust between Anwar and Zahid had hit an all-time low since the unity government formed in 2022; Anwar called it merely Khairy's personal opinion.
- Anwar acknowledged some differences with Zahid at the state level but said their relationship "remained good" at the national level and thanked Zahid, Umno and Barisan Nasional for forming the unity government.
- Tensions stem from the recent Negri Sembilan election, where Barisan's decision to work with Perikatan Nasional was seen as straining ties with Pakatan Harapan.
- Six PKR branch chiefs in Jelebu, Rembau, Seremban, Rasah, Kuala Pilah and Tampin reportedly sent letters to Anwar calling for a review of Aminuddin Harun's leadership as state leadership council chairman following Pakatan's defeat.
- Anwar said the party was open to discussing the branch concerns and that he had been informed of the letters but had yet to receive them.
- Anwar told PKR delegates he would "not grieve" over the party's poor performance in the Negri Sembilan and Johor elections, urging central leadership to "listen and be prepared to change."
Why it matters: Anwar's public dismissal comes as PKR faces concrete internal revolt — six branch chiefs formally demanding a leadership review in Negri Sembilan — and as Barisan's alliance with Perikatan Nasional is visibly fraying the unity government's coalition bonds ahead of future state contests.
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