KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have put to rest speculation of fractious ties today as they celebrate their long-standing relationship on stage.
Speaking at a party event in Bagan Datuk, Perak, the two leaders instead trained their guns on political opponents whom they said had a vested interest to see an internal rift within Umno which would ostensibly benefit them.
In his speech, Ismail Sabri, who is the caretaker prime minister, provided his assurance to party supporters that there is no bad blood between him and the party president, and that the issue is merely being played up by external quarters in a desperate bid to sow enmity between the pair.
“Many might not know, but I’ve known the president since school. Not just him, but even his wife, while they are in love. At the time, they were not married yet.
So, I would like to say this to those trying to divide us, don’t even try. Nothing can break my relationship with the president. Trust me.
Ismail Sabri stressed the need for all Barisan Nasional (BN) members to remain united as they head into the general election, saying solidarity will be key in determining their continued control of the government.
He said following allegations of discontent among separate factions within Umno, he has held discussions with Zahid on the importance of the party to avoid being drawn into the opposition’s “mind games” to stir division.
The two leaders were reported on numerous occasions to have had a falling out after Ismail Sabri allegedly refused supposed demands to interfere in court cases involving some of the Umno top guns.
The incumbent prime minister has also been pressured for months to call for an early election before he finally agreed to dissolve Parliament earlier this month.
Later in his own speech, Zahid similarly pointed out that it would only serve as a waste of time for opponents to attempt to cause a rift between him and Ismail Sabri, noting that they have shared a close relationship for decades long.
“We have known each other since 1973. At the time, I was in my first year at Universiti Malaya, where I shared the same room with his brother, Kamarazaman Yaakob.
“Then, Ismail Sabri was in the technical college. Every week, he used to come to my room, every week. This is a true story. We have known for tens of years. Don’t anybody try to break us apart, it’s just a waste of time.
What haven’t I done with him? Hug? Done. Peck on the cheek? Always. The only thing I am not willing to do is mouth kissing. That’s gross because we are both men. But I hope with this meeting today, we can put aside any differences in opinion.
Zahid also took aim at supporters of both him and Ismail Sabri, saying they might have also contributed to the alleged tension between the pair.
“He has his advisors, I have mine. I know we appreciate their support and views, but we have to remember that an advisor’s role is to advise. Give good advice,” he said.
On a separate issue, Zahid expressed his bemusement at the opposition’s objection to holding the election in November on grounds of the monsoon season, pointing out that Malaysia is a country that sees constant rain throughout the year.
He also questioned why the opposition did not raise similar concerns when the Melaka state election was held in November last year.
“If November is being made an excuse as though it will flood and rain, tell me when doesn’t it rain in Malaysia? Especially in areas like Taiping, it rains every day. If that’s the case, don’t ever conduct an election in Taiping.
“The alleged monsoon is only a forecast. Where hasn’t there been a monsoon period? All year round, there are (monsoon) transitions. There are the northeast and southwest monsoons,” he said. – The Vibes, October 17, 2022
