The Umno president said such cooperation does not indicate complacency, but is instead the result of strong understanding among parties in the government to ensure the people are not burdened by political polemics.
“The people must not be troubled by prolonged polemics and differences in stance or views,” the deputy prime minister said in an exclusive interview with Bernama in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary recently.
Zahid, who is also BN chairman, said all parties in the unity government agreed to set aside differences and political considerations in the interest of the people, after the last general election (GE15).
He said the government gave priority to common ground in the manifestos of parties contesting GE15, particularly on issues related to the cost of living, education and unemployment.
“On matters concerning education and unemployment, there is no disagreement between the different parties,” Zahid said.
He added that 47% of the respective party manifestos in GE15 had common elements, thereby forming a strong foundation for existing cooperation between the parties in the unity government.
“Why should we be concerned about differences when we share the same goal?
“In addition, there are detailed issues that we must address. That is why we have the Inter-Party Consultative Council, to resolve differences and ensure the manifesto is implemented with clear purpose,” he said.
Zahid also emphasised that all component parties in the unity government, including DAP, uphold the four main pillars enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“This is evident in the strong respect shown towards the agreement to form the unity government, which is founded on four main pillars, namely Islam, the Malay Rulers, the Malay language and the special rights of the Malays.
“They not only respect it but also acknowledge it as a fact enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
The unity government was formed after GE15 in 2022, when no coalition secured a simple majority.
It brought together Pakatan Harapan, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Warisan, and is also supported by several other parties and independent MPs.