Zahid, the BN chairman and deputy prime minister, claimed on Sunday that he had rejected attempts to persuade his coalition to abandon Anwar Ibrahim’s government, which marks its second year this month.

Lau Zhe Wei from International Islamic University Malaysia said Zahid’s statement would not be enough to concern the public or investors about the continuity of Anwar’s administration.

“His remarks also do not threaten political stability as the unity government remains solid,” Lau told FMT.

Azmi Hassan, a fellow at the National Professors Council, said Zahid’s statement was more of a reminder that the opposition might attempt to destabilise the government.

“Even if BN leaves, it does not mean that the unity government will collapse immediately as Anwar still holds a simple majority (in Parliament),” he said.

Zahid had also claimed that BN would be offered the prime minister’s post if it agreed to the proposal to leave the unity government.

The Bagan Datuk MP did not reveal the parties involved, but said he had rejected the offer as he was unwilling to betray his allies in Putrajaya.

Yesterday, several Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders denied that the coalition had approached any party, including Umno, to discuss the formation of a new government.

PN Supreme Council member Ronald Kiandee dismissed Zahid’s claim while PN Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden challenged Zahid to reveal the identities of those who had approached him.