Kuala Lumpur, 24 February 2026 – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described his personal relationship with newly appointed Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as friendly, signalling a cordial rapport between the nation’s leader and the head of a rival political coalition.
Speaking at a buka puasa event in Parliament on Tuesday evening, Anwar, who leads the unity government, said the two are on good terms and routinely interact in social settings.
“Of course we’re friendly. We’re friends. It’s Ramadan and it’s normal to break fast together,” he said when asked about his relationship with Dr Ahmad Samsuri, underscoring a gesture of goodwill at a time of fasting and reflection for Muslims.
At the event, both leaders were seen exchanging a firm handshake and sharing a table, symbolising a cordial atmosphere despite their different political affiliations. Dr Ahmad Samsuri, a vice-president of PAS, assumed the PN chairmanship following the resignation of former leader Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Political Context and Bipartisan Tone
The public display of amicability comes as Malaysia continues to navigate a complex political landscape marked by shifting alliances and coalition dynamics. While the unity government led by Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition remains in power, Perikatan Nasional has been a vocal opposition grouping, presenting alternative policy positions and leadership priorities.
Observers say such personal goodwill between party leaders, even across competing blocs, can help defuse tensions in Parliament and facilitate dialogue on national issues, particularly during symbolic periods such as Ramadan.
When questioned on another sensitive issue, whether a Royal Commission of Inquiry would be formed to investigate allegations involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s chief commissioner, Anwar declined to offer specifics, saying only, “We’ll discuss.”
What This Signals
While party competition remains central to Malaysia’s democratic process, the Prime Minister’s emphasis on personal friendship with the new PN leader may help create space for civil discourse and cooperation on shared national priorities. This approach aligns with broader calls from analysts for constructive engagement across the political divide, even as policy debates continue at the institutional level.
