It’s just Umno’s view, Anwar says of challenge to hold early polls

 The prime minister also says government stability is important while downplaying the challenges.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said ‘there are problems in every household’, when asked if there are cracks in the unity government.

KOZHIKODE (Kerala): Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed Umno’s challenge to remove the party from the unity government and hold early elections, saying it was merely the party’s “view”.

Anwar said even Pakatan Harapan, the coalition he chairs, had put forward strong views in the past.

“So I choose to take the moderate path. For me, it is important that the government remains stable, otherwise, the nation will lose out,” he told reporters here this evening.

Anwar also said he had no issue with some of the remarks made at the Umno general assembly over the weekend, saying such differences were normal.

“There are problems in every household,” he said.

Asked whether he foresaw relations with Umno thawing, he said he had no problem with the party, which is part of the unity government, at the moment.

“I don’t know of any problems,” he said.

At its general assembly held from Friday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, challenged the party’s critics to remove Umno and Barisan Nasional from the unity government, and called on them to table a no-confidence motion against Anwar.

Zahid also took several veiled jabs at Anwar, who was referred to as “guru”.

However, the deputy prime minister later reiterated BN’s pledge to remain in the current administration until its term ends.

He also said the views expressed by delegates from its various wings and states could not be considered Umno’s official stance and should instead be regarded as personal views. - FMT