Anwar reaffirms Unity Government will last until end of term despite election rivalries

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that cooperation among parties in the Unity Government will remain intact until the end of the current parliamentary term, despite the possibility of them competing against one another in state elections.

Anwar said he had chosen to continue working with Barisan Nasional (BN) and UMNO at the federal level to safeguard two key principles — political stability and the prosperity of the people through economic growth.

“I choose stability. I choose the prosperity of the people through economic growth, and I choose to continue working with BN and UMNO at the federal level so that these two principles can be continued.

“That is my choice. Let them answer for their choice, and as a party committed to our struggle, whatever happens, we are prepared. If we are forced to clash, we will clash (in an election),” he said.

He was speaking during the winding-up session of the 2026 PKR National Congress at the Melaka International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITC) today.

Anwar said his relationship with BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and the chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) remained strong, giving him confidence that differences could still be resolved through negotiations.

He acknowledged that several decisions made by political partners in recent months had come as a surprise because they were not communicated to the Federal Government.

“What has happened over the past few months is that there have been several surprising decisions that were not communicated to us. Their reason was that these were strategies to strengthen their parties.

“That is their right, and we should not question it. But the norm in any cooperation is that there must be loyalty, a willingness to negotiate properly and mutual respect,” he said.

Anwar urged Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders and members to recognise that their responsibility to safeguard the country was greater than political competition.

“I said earlier, rationally and with wisdom, that we must safeguard this unity because my personal relationship with Datuk Seri Zahid remains very good.

“I believe we can negotiate properly, as friends, and listen to one another directly. So far, I have not heard a single negative view at the Federal Government level.

“At the state level, only God knows. As we know from the old pantun, ‘the village may be burning and the smoke can be seen, but who knows what is burning in the heart?’” he said.

He also called on PH and PKR leaders to avoid public statements that could heighten tensions and undermine the unity underpinning the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the 2026 PKR National Congress concluded with a celebration of Anwar’s 79th birthday, attended by more than 2,000 delegates and observers.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, was feted at a cake-cutting ceremony alongside party leaders and delegates.

PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is set to take leave from her position, was also honoured for her longstanding contribution to the party and its reform agenda.

Known as the “Srikandi Reformasi”, Nurul Izzah has been associated with PKR and the reform movement since her youth, including during the party’s years in opposition before it became part of the Federal Government.

Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was also honoured for her longstanding commitment to PKR and the reform movement since the party’s establishment.

The tributes reflected PKR’s long political journey and its roots in reform, justice and democracy.

PKR was established in 1999 following the Reformasi movement that emerged after Anwar’s dismissal as deputy prime minister in 1998, with Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeADILan) becoming the movement’s main political vehicle.

The party merged with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) in 2003 before adopting its current name, further consolidating its position as a multiracial political party.

PKR’s founding platform emphasised social justice, democracy, human rights, transparency and accountable governance.

After more than two decades of political struggle, PKR and its partners in PH succeeded in forming the Federal Government after winning the 14th General Election in 2018.

Anwar subsequently took the oath of office as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24, 2022, following the 15th General Election, with PH forming the government through cooperation with several political parties.

The celebration of Anwar’s 79th birthday at the congress also underscored PKR’s transformation from a reform movement into a party now playing a central role in the country’s Federal administration. - August 16, 2026