BN-PH ties unaffected by differences over Najib’s conditional pardon, says Zahid

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the coalition’s working relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH) remains unaffected by differences over former prime minister Najib Razak’s conditional pardon and house arrest.

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on the final day of his four-day working visit to Turkey, the deputy prime minister said differences in political views among parties in the unity government had not affected the smooth running of the administration.

Zahid said the differences were managed maturely, given that political alignments differ at federal and state levels, Bernama reported.

He cited the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, as well as the ongoing Melaka election campaign, as examples of differing political approaches at the state level despite BN and PH working together in the federal government.

“There are no problems in our relationship,” Zahid said when asked whether the conditional pardon and house arrest granted to Najib, a former Umno president, could affect relations between BN and PH in the unity government.

“There have been no differences of opinion, let alone disputes, in more than four years.

“We manage our respective ministries and hold Cabinet meetings every week, and the government’s affairs are carried out professionally … In my view, political maturity in Malaysia is now approaching an optimum level.

“Although we have different political approaches, God willing, they will not affect the country’s political stability.”

Najib was granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.

The fine was settled on Friday, but the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had suggested that Najib’s house arrest be deferred pending a review of the conditional pardon and the related Order of Discharge.

The AGC said the two issues involved “complex legal questions” with implications for the execution of the royal pardon and a court order.

Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said, who is also law and institutional reform minister, said the attorney-general should explain why the AGC raised its concerns only after the RM50 million fine had been paid and a court order issued.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who tendered his resignation as transport minister in September following Najib’s conditional pardon, has reiterated that he will vacate his post once Najib enters his home in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

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