ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 6 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied claims of a rift or problems between him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, stressing instead that Barisan Nasional (BN) remains committed to ensuring the country’s political stability until the end of the term.

He said there were no problems, either personally or in official capacity, between him and Anwar, including when attending Cabinet meetings as well as official government functions and events.

“I have no problems, either personally or in an official capacity. What is important for Barisan Nasional (BN), as one of the components of the Unity Government, is political stability in the country until the end of the term.

“We make and reach decisions professionally,” he told reporters after attending the national-level Orang Asli Sports Carnival at the Educity Sports Complex here today.

Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

He said this when asked to comment on a Bloomberg report which previously said that relations between him and Anwar were reportedly becoming increasingly strained, resulting in recent Cabinet meetings being shorter than usual.

The report said the tension stemmed from Ahmad Zahid’s decision for BN to oppose Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

The BN chairman also said the coalition’s commitment to remain in the Unity Government until the end of its term was in line with the resolution of the Umno General Assembly.

He said political stability was crucial to ensuring continued foreign investor confidence in Malaysia while supporting the country’s economic growth.

“We know that the resolution of the Umno General Assembly has stipulated that we remain in the Unity Government until the end of its term.

“This is what we are doing to ensure full political stability and avoid any problems, particularly involving foreign investors, foreign direct investment, as well as to boost the country’s economic growth,” he said.

He said claims of problems between the BN leadership and the Prime Minister did not reflect the actual situation.

“The fact is that there are no problems when we are in Cabinet meetings or at official functions or events of ministries, departments and agencies at the federal level,” he said. — Bernama