Zahid calls for cooperation at state level to strengthen federal govt

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says cooperation between the federal and state governments, regardless of their political ideology, must prevail and be strengthened for the sake of the people at large.

Zahid said the coalition government had a bigger agenda in moving forward and to develop the country, and that differences in political ideology should be put aside as disunity would lead to instability, like what had happened in the past.

"The formation of the unity government, the Malaysia Madani concept that we all support, must be given priority because what is important is the progress and welfare of the people.

"We have now formed a government under the leadership of (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim with the support of 19 different parties," he said after attending the Sabah Umno liaison committee Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Zahid who is also Umno president said the current government which was stable with the support of 148 MPs must be strengthened by the ending of various political polemics and not raising new issues that could derail such efforts.

"This is to ensure a politically stable (Malaysia) and to progress economically because the main focus is on the progress of the people," he said.