Najib, Anwar share idealism, good for nation, says Zahid

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed a combination of ideas put forth by former prime minister Najib Razak and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim in a debate last night to be turned into national policy.

He said such a combination, if implemented, could eliminate “stubborn spots” and put the people’s minds at rest.

“They are old friends but now on different stages,” he told reporters after the Perdana Debate at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Centre in Kuala Lumpur last night.

“They share much in terms of idealism. The question is, how to interpret and implement this.”

The debate between Najib and Anwar was sparked by a social media clash over troubled oil and gas services company Sapura Energy Bhd.

Analysts said that the event would only give “unnecessary attention” to Najib, who has been convicted and sentenced over the misappropriation of RM42 million related to SRC International channelled into his private accounts.

Zahid however said that such forums should be held more frequently in order to solve other problems.

He also described the debate as part of the country’s political maturing.

“We don’t want to solve only the problems of one group,” he said. “It is more important that the people understand the matter even though the interpretations and views might differ.”

Zahid is among the Umno leaders who have been promoting a new political alignment between their party and PKR.

He and Anwar had been allies during the former’s time in Umno, before his sacking in 1998 and when Zahid was the Umno Youth chief.

MalaysiaNow previously revealed that Zahid and Najib had written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, voicing support for Anwar as prime minister.