Allegations of a supposed rift between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail have been dismissed as naive and unfounded.
Political secretary to the home minister, Omar Mokhtar A Manap, said the speculation, which went viral on social media, stemmed from a widely circulated video claiming Anwar did not shake hands with Saifuddin (above) at a recent event.
According to Omar, the claim was inaccurate and based on a misleading interpretation of the visual.
“The handshake did happen. It was just blocked by PMX’s (Anwar’s) body. And it happened quickly.
“But not many people want to know the truth. I can’t change public opinion,” he told Malaysiakini.
Earlier, the video shared online — including by former PKR leader Iswardy Morni on his personal Facebook account titled “Did they shake hands or not” — sparked speculation over the relationship between the two government and party colleagues.
The recording, uploaded three days ago, has garnered around 120,000 views, with some attempting to portray tensions between Anwar and Saifuddin, who are known to be among the closest allies in the cabinet led by the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.
Longstanding relationship
Commenting further, Omar stressed that Saifuddin’s loyalty to Anwar has been proven for more than three decades, rejecting claims that their relationship is now shaky.
He said such perceptions were unreasonable, given their long history together since PKR’s formation in April 1999.
“Anyone who wants us to believe DSAI (Anwar) and Saifuddin have ‘cracked’ is like someone who wants us to believe rain rises to the sky or catfish grow scales.
“That’s how their relationship is,” he said.
Omar also listed several factors that, he said, strengthened Saifuddin’s position as a trusted figure of the prime minister.
“Saifuddin is one of the party’s founders and a key mover since 1999, and he served as secretary-general for 14 years.
“He was also Anwar’s sole envoy to negotiate with other parties to form the unity government after GE15.
“Saifuddin was also continuously trusted with a renewed Senate appointment and to continue his duties as home minister,” he added. - Mkini
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