Farahida said the intent behind Khairy’s comments was dubious, and the remarks created space for critics to take advantage of the political situation between the two coalitions.

She said the remarks seem to set PH against BN.

“Such narratives are unhelpful as the current political landscape demands stability and mature cooperation,” she said in a statement today.

Khairy, who recently rejoined Umno after being sacked three years ago, said at the party’s 80th anniversary gathering on Saturday that Umno seems to be in a better position than Bersatu or PKR, as these parties now struggle with obvious internal conflict.

Astro Awani reported Khairy as highlighting the conflict between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and his former deputy, Hamzah Zainudin, as well as between PKR president Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his former deputy, Rafizi Ramli.

He also said public criticism of government ministers has largely been aimed at non-Umno ministers, adding that Umno’s ministers have done their work well and have not been involved in major scandals.

Farahida questioned Khairy’s authority in commenting on Umno’s strength, pointing out that he had been away from the party for years.

“He has been judging (Umno’s strength) from over the fence. What he attempts to portray here is his personal interpretation, not the true picture,” she said.

“Khairy cannot be said to represent Umno’s official stance. The words of a person who has long been outside the party’s organisational structure cannot be used as a yardstick for the strength of any party.”

Farahida also said the claims that PKR faces a serious rift are nothing more than recycled rhetoric and that differences in opinion “are not signs of weakness, but reflect living and functional party dynamics”.

“What sets the party apart is its ability to deal with such differences with maturity. This continues to be demonstrated in PKR,” she said.