BARISAN Nasional chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has moved to clarify and retract remarks that were widely interpreted as alleging the existence of factions within DAP, saying the comments were misunderstood and were never meant to suggest the party was divided.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the Parti Progresif Penduduk (PPP) Annual General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Zahid said he would withdraw the statement if it had caused offence to DAP.
“If that offended DAP, I withdraw what I said.
“However, it was never my intention at all to portray the existence of two camps within the party. There may only be small differences of opinion,” he said.
Zahid explained that his remarks, delivered during his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly 2025, were intended to highlight that statements made by a small group of DAP leaders did not reflect the party’s official position or the views of its top leadership.
“This was also mentioned by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, that we should not take the views of a group that differs from DAP’s main leadership, especially when it is not the party’s official stance.
“So, it is hoped that this will be understood,” he said.
Media reports had earlier quoted Zahid as alleging that contradictory statements attributed to DAP leaders originated from a so-called “Team B”, remarks that were interpreted as implying internal divisions within the party. The Deputy Prime Minister had also been quoted as saying that this information had been conveyed to him by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, a claim Loke subsequently denied.
Responding to Loke’s clarification, Zahid said he agreed with the DAP secretary-general’s position and reiterated that his comments were not meant to validate the existence of factions within the party.
“So that was merely an illustration, not a validation of the existence of teams within DAP,” he said.
Elaborating further, Zahid said his comments at the Umno assembly were aimed at addressing ongoing disputes involving certain DAP leaders and Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
“What I meant in that winding-up speech was simply to clarify that there were contradictory statements from a very small segment of DAP’s leadership in response to issues raised by the Umno Youth chief.
“It was clarified that the issues raised were not the basis of any official party decision, but were brought up by a small group in reaction to what was stated by the Umno Youth chief.
“So, that was only an illustration, not an affirmation of the existence of any ‘team’ or faction in DAP,” he said.
Zahid made the remarks in the presence of several senior leaders, including PPP president Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.- January 18, 2026
