PUTRAJAYA: Umno and Barisan Nasional are open to maintaining the current political setup as long as it ensures national stability, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this when asked about Pakatan Harapan's recent call to allow Anwar to continue as Prime Minister for a second term and the strength of cooperation between Umno and PKR at present.

The Barisan chairman and Umno president highlighted the need for the unity government to maintain its current political stability and ensure continuous economic growth.

“We are open to it. Umno and Barisan are kind to our friends among the component parties, and although the 18 of us come from different political parties, our objective is the same.

“What’s important is political stability, and the 16th General Election (GE16) will show us how to defend political stability and unity among the 18 parties.

“We have a two-thirds majority (in Parliament) now, and this must be maintained. There are many methods and approaches to it,” he said at a Hari Raya event at the Deputy Prime Minister’s official residence, Sri Satria, here on Saturday (April 27).

In a recent Keluar Sekejap podcast episode, PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Pakatan Harapan is hoping to see Anwar lead the country for another term, given that the pact’s chairman is in good health.

Zahid urged all 18 parties in the unity government to continue to work with each other in unison while pledging that Barisan and Umno will uphold national stability.

Among others, the Rural and Regional Development Minister said leaders in the federal administration need to ensure that there will be more job opportunities with dignified salaries for the public.

“Not just jobs with a minimum salary, but with a premium salary. As we know, the framework for the civil servants’ salaries will be announced and after 12 years we are re-looking into the salary scheme which will allow them to increase their productivity.

“With a good economy, I believe the private sector will follow suit, too. The same goes for new job opportunities in TVET...it will be created with the presence of foreign investors.

“We can see here that this (current) economic development is the result of political stability, which is why it must be maintained,” Zahid said.