Kuala Lumpur, Sept 4 – Relations between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have reportedly soured in recent weeks, with the two leaders barely speaking to each other.
Sources say Zahid’s decision to contest against Anwar’s coalition in recent state elections angered the prime minister. Tensions have run so high that recent cabinet meetings have ended earlier than usual.
Both leaders are preparing for national elections due by 2028. While the coalition is expected to hold for now, the rift could hinder Anwar’s reform agenda and efforts to regain public support.
Zahid has recently called for early elections, a shift from his earlier stance. Anwar, however, has indicated he prefers to wait until the second half of next year.
The two have also clashed through proxies, with their respective ministries locked in a dispute over budget allocations.
Political analyst Adib Zalkapli said the relationship may worsen, and Anwar may need to assess his parliamentary support for reform and the upcoming 2027 budget.
Anwar is set to present the budget on Oct 9 and faces pressure from coalition partner DAP to push through reforms by year-end. While his government has enough votes to survive without Zahid, securing a supermajority for key legislative changes would require Zahid’s backing.
Both leaders’ offices have not responded to requests for comment.
The two once shared a close political bond. Zahid helped Anwar become prime minister in 2022 despite internal opposition, and Anwar later oversaw the dropping of corruption charges against Zahid—though he denied interference.
However, their ties have frayed due to competing political interests. Zahid’s Umno, which leads Barisan Nasional, now sits in an uneasy coalition with Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan.
Anwar was reportedly upset when Zahid’s bloc contested against his in Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls, where Barisan performed well. In Negeri Sembilan, Barisan even cooperated with opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, raising questions about future cooperation in upcoming polls.
Tensions have also risen over anti-corruption probes targeting senior Barisan figures, including a former prime minister. Anwar has maintained that investigations are independent.
This week, Zahid publicly complained about payment delays for contractors under his ministry, while the Finance Ministry responded that his ministry had overspent in recent years—a claim Zahid’s office denied.
