Zahid denies strained ties with Anwar affecting cabinet meetings

Umno president Zahid Hamidi has dismissed claims that deteriorating relations with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are responsible for abbreviated cabinet meetings, pushing back against widespread speculation about rifts within the coalition government.

Zahid's denial comes after reports suggested recent Jemaah Menteri sessions have been significantly shorter than their typical duration, with observers linking the development to purported friction between the two senior leaders.

The Umno chief's statement represents an attempt to downplay concerns about internal government cohesion at a time when the ruling coalition continues to navigate complex political dynamics. Relations between Umno and the Anwar-led PKR have been subject to intense scrutiny since the formation of the unity government.

Zahid's clarification seeks to separate speculation from fact regarding the functioning of Malaysia's cabinet operations, emphasizing that shorter meetings do not necessarily indicate underlying political tensions or governance challenges within the administration.