Anwar holds key to resolving UMNO-DAP rift, says Khaled Nordin

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has the final say on how to resolve the escalating tensions between UMNO and DAP, including the possibility of dissolving Parliament, says UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said Anwar had the authority to determine the appropriate course of action following differences in political positions among parties in the Unity Government.

"Ultimately, everything is up to the Prime Minister. Whether he wants to dissolve Parliament, dismiss anyone, suspend anyone or take any other action, it is all up to him," he said.

He was responding to questions on four options proposed by UMNO to address its strained relationship with DAP, including the possibility of dissolving the Dewan Rakyat.

UMNO information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had earlier outlined three other options: appointing a mediator through a consultative council, allowing the existing arrangement to continue, or reviewing Paragraph C of the Coalition Agreement.

Commenting on the country's evolving political landscape, Mohamed Khaled said political parties must accept that different political arrangements between federal and state governments could become increasingly common.

He said a party could remain part of the federal administration while adopting a different political position at state level, including declining to cooperate with parties that were its partners in Putrajaya.

"We have entered a political situation where we must accept that this could become the norm in the future.

"Perhaps the federal government will be different from state governments. A party may be part of the federal government but, at state level, the government may not accept the participation of parties that are part of the federal administration," he said.

Mohamed Khaled also stressed that cooperation between UMNO and PAS should not be interpreted as excluding other races or political parties.

He said cooperation between the Malay-based parties was positive and did not prevent other parties from joining the arrangement.

"Cooperation between UMNO and PAS does not exclude other races. If they want to join, they can, and many have already done so, including MCA, MIC and Gerakan.

"So how can anyone say UMNO and PAS reject cooperation or do not accept other races?" he said.

Tensions between UMNO and DAP emerged following differences over the issue of a conditional pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. - November 14, 2026