DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has likened Barisan Nasional’s role in the Federal Government to being “in the middle of a sandwich”, with the coalition positioned between Pakatan Harapan and DAP as part of the Unity Government formed after the 2022 general election.
The UMNO president said the coalition accepted its role in government out of necessity following an inconclusive election result, which left no single bloc with a simple majority to form the administration independently.
“At the Federal level, I am like a sandwich. On one side is Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and on the other is DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
“But I remain professional. This government was formed on the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the sake of the people and the country,” The Star quoted him saying during a Barisan Nasional ceramah in Kota Masai on Friday night.
Zahid said Barisan Nasional accepted the outcome of the 15th General Election despite winning only 30 parliamentary seats, noting that at least 112 seats were required to form a government.
He said the coalition made a collective decision to support the formation of a stable federal administration to prevent prolonged political uncertainty in the country.
“They (Pakatan Harapan) should be thankful to Barisan because without our 30 seats, they would not have had enough numbers to form the government,” he said.
Zahid added that Barisan Nasional’s position in Johor differed from its role at federal level, noting that the coalition remains in full control of the state government while continuing as part of the Unity Government in Putrajaya.
He said this demonstrated BN’s ability to function effectively at both state and federal levels while maintaining political stability and prioritising public interest. - July 4, 2026
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