Hard for BN to backstab if it quits govt, says Puad

Former Umno leader Puad Zarkashi has criticised the apparent camaraderie between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders within the Cabinet, describing it as a "Hollywood act." In a Facebook post, Puad dismissed claims that the Umno-led coalition is only in the unity government for political stability, arguing that the party is trying to continue backstabbing its partners.

Puad questioned why BN remained in the federal government despite attacking it during the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections. He pointed out that the warmth between BN and PH leaders in the Cabinet is merely for show, and that they will continue to backstab each other in the upcoming Melaka state election and the 16th general election.

One reason BN is hesitant to withdraw from the unity government, Puad suggested, is that without power, it is difficult to execute an effective backstab. This comes after Ahmad Maslan, a BN Supreme Council member, defended the party's state election pacts with PN, arguing that tactical moves to maximise election chances should not be seen as betrayal. However, Puad emphasised that the agreement in the unity government is limited to the federal level and that there are no binding agreements on state-level arrangements.