Anwar holds key to resolving UMNO-DAP rift, says Khaled Nordin

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds the ultimate authority to determine how to resolve the growing conflicts between UMNO and DAP, including the possibility of dissolving Parliament. Khaled stated that the Prime Minister's decision on actions such as removing or suspending political figures lies with him alone.

The UMNO official responded to questions about four potential solutions suggested by UMNO to mend their strained ties with DAP, with dissolving the Dewan Rakyat being one of them. Earlier, UMNO information chief Azalina Othman Said presented three other alternatives: forming a consultative council with a mediator, preserving the current situation, or reassessing Paragraph C of the Coalition Agreement.

Khaled emphasized that political parties must recognize the likelihood of varying political arrangements between federal and state governments, which may become increasingly prevalent. He added that a party could continue to be part of the federal administration while holding differing political views at the state level, even to the extent of not collaborating with certain parties they support in Putrajaya.

Khaled forecasted the possibility of federal and state governments diverging from one another. He further clarified that cooperation between UMNO and PAS should not be viewed as excluding other races or political parties. He noted that the alliance between the Malay-based parties was beneficial and did not bar other parties from joining, including MCA, MIC, and Gerakan.

Khaled refuted claims that UMNO and PAS disdain cooperation or do not welcome other races, stating that many non-Malay parties have already joined their arrangement.