It is not a split, it is ‘policy deliberation’: Anwar cools talk of ministry feud over budgets

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said differences of views between ministries do not necessarily reflect a split in the government but are part of policy deliberation, with matters needing a collective decision go to the Cabinet.

Anwar was replying in the Dewan Rakyat to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut). Hamzah had asked whether an open contradiction between the Finance Ministry and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry showed a split in the government, and who determines its official position.

“The government wishes to stress that differences of views or approach between ministries do not necessarily reflect a split in the government,” Anwar said without naming either ministry or the specific matter in his reply.

“Rather, they are part of the process of discussion and policy deliberation, which takes into account each ministry’s responsibilities, jurisdiction and priorities, so that the MADANI Government’s agenda can be implemented effectively.”

The PM said the government ensures orderly coordination between ministries to keep policy consistent and avoid overlapping functions. He said every decision is made on the basis of the people’s interests, national development priorities and the government’s financial capacity.

On who decides the official position, Anwar said every government policy and decision must go through proper deliberation and coordination. He said matters requiring a collective decision are brought to the Cabinet for consideration and agreement, in line with the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.

Anwar added that the government monitors economic performance continuously, using current data and indicators, to assess how well policies are working. He said this is also to keep strengthening the economy’s resilience against global uncertainty. He said the government will keep strengthening cooperation between ministries and monitor each initiative so that decisions deliver tangible and sustainable results.

The question follows a public disagreement over spending at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which is led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid has rejected claims the ministry overspent by RM2.1 billion. Winding up the Budget 2027 debate on Oct 26, he said it spent RM6.108 billion from 2023 to 2025 against a revised allocation of RM6.143 billion, and had in fact underspent.

The issue drew attention after Zahid raised concern over delayed payments to contractors on ministry projects, saying some had been forced to stop operations because of cash flow problems.

Treasury secretary-general Datuk Seri Johan Mahmood Merican later attributed the delays to the ministry’s spending commitments, noting that most of this year’s allocation for rural road projects had already been used.