DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is facing mounting calls to relinquish his position amid questions over his political stance towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said Zahid should resign if he was no longer comfortable with the direction of the current administration, arguing that other Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders could take over the post.
He named Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as potential replacements.
"If he has any dignity, he should step down as Deputy Prime Minister because he has clearly demonstrated an attitude that is not in line with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"There are many other leaders, such as Tok Mat (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who could replace him as Deputy Prime Minister," he said at a dinner programme in Bukit Rambai on Thursday.
Kamil said whether Anwar should remove Zahid from the position was ultimately a matter for the Prime Minister to decide under his prerogative.
"That is something the Prime Minister must decide. He can replace him with someone else, as that falls under the Prime Minister's prerogative.
"But if you ask me, there is no need to sack him. If he has any dignity, he should resign as Deputy Prime Minister," he said.
His remarks came after DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo similarly challenged Zahid to quit if he no longer had confidence in the government leadership, instead of calling for Parliament to be dissolved earlier.
Gobind said such a position was inappropriate for someone holding the country's second-highest executive office.
However, Zahid has rejected suggestions that BN ministers were no longer supportive of Anwar's leadership at federal level.
He maintained that BN ministers had never opposed Unity Government policies or disagreed with the Prime Minister during Cabinet meetings.
Zahid also said political parties were entitled to adopt different positions at state level, particularly during election campaigns, stressing that such differences should not be construed as a withdrawal of support for Anwar's federal leadership. - November 13, 2026