If Anwar’s govt failed, Umno failed too, says Amanah sec-gen

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who serves as deputy prime minister, openly criticized unity government leaders in his recent policy speech at the party's general assembly. Umno will also face failure if it criticizes Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, as the party is part of the government, according to Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil.

Zahid's statement that his party could do better only underscores his own failure to support the administration, Faiz told FMT. The performance of Anwar's administration should be evaluated collectively, as the government formed through a coalition including Umno, he argued. Data on foreign direct investment, ringgit performance, economic growth, and the Corruption Perceptions Index indicate that the Anwar government's achievements surpass those of previous administrations.

Faiz cited the successful payment of all outstanding GST refunds totaling RM19 billion during the Anwar-led government, contrasting it with the price hikes and outstanding claims under the previous Barisan Nasional government. He cautioned Umno against statements that could destabilize the government, if it truly aims for political stability until the end of the current term.

Faiz also warned that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) needs to prepare for the possibility that the Barisan Nasional (BN) may not cooperate with them in the next general election, as the results of recent state elections should serve as a wake-up call for PH to strengthen its own machinery and not rely on cooperation with other parties.