KJ: BN-PH relationship, Anwar-Zahid ties at lowest point

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has stated that the relationship between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, as well as between Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is at its lowest point. This sentiment was evident at the 2026 Umno General Assembly, where delegates expressed a growing belief that the party's cooperation with PH had effectively reached its end, with Umno planning to contest the next general election independently.

Khairy indicated that the mood at the assembly suggested that many delegates wanted an immediate general election, and that Umno was open to cooperating with Perikatan Nasional, particularly Pas, under a formula similar to the one used in Negri Sembilan. However, several issues, such as seat distribution and arrangements in Pas-controlled states, remain unresolved.

Khairy emphasized that the outcome would depend on the resolution of these issues, particularly the terms of any potential cooperation between Umno and Pas. Former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan suggested that the political landscape could still change, especially if Anwar had sufficient time before the next election to maneuver.

He likened the current situation to a football match where a trailing team equalized and then took the lead, suggesting that Umno's conduct should reflect its new position.