‘I take the peaceful path’: Anwar dismisses Khairy’s claim of rift with Zahid

Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks to reporters after the opening ceremony of the 2026 PKR National Congress at MITC in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, August 15, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 15 Aug 2026 1:48 PM MYT

MELAKA, Aug 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that his relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains good.

He said former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that their relationship had deteriorated was merely the former Rembau Member of Parliament’s personal view.

“That is his personal view. He always looks at things from the perspective of conflict. I look at things from the perspective of peace... and that is the difference. He takes the confrontational path, while I take the peaceful path,” he told reporters after delivering his presidential address at the 2026 PKR National Congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here today.

Anwar, who is also PKR president and Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said he had also expressed his appreciation in his speech at the congress for the role played by Ahmad Zahid, as Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president, in facilitating the formation of the Unity Government following the 15th General Election (GE15).

“That is why I thanked Datuk Seri Zahid and Umno in my speech earlier for their role, as BN chairman, in establishing the Unity Government at the initial stage,” he said.

Yesterday, Khairy claimed that trust between Anwar and Ahmad Zahid was now at its lowest level since the Unity Government was formed in 2022.

Khairy claimed that the situation followed increasingly challenging relations between BN and PH, particularly after BN chose to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Negeri Sembilan State Election (PRN).

Elaborating, the Prime Minister said any differences of opinion within a party or between parties forming the Unity Government could be resolved through discussions and a peaceful approach. — Bernama