PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today urged civil servants to set aside their differences and work together for the sake of the nation.

Speaking at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Department, Anwar told civil servants to take note of how he and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had put aside their differences to work together now.

“Looking at my colleagues and team – even though we are of different backgrounds, have a history of clashing ideas and were involved in major fights, particularly with the deputy prime minister – it can’t be denied we have a united ideology and determination.

“My deputy and I put aside our differences to save the country.

“We have had our differences and arguments in the past, but thankfully, we carry the same ideology in upholding the spirit of Malaysia Madani,” he said, referring to his government’s new agenda.

Anwar and Zahid’s friendship started in the 1970s during their student activism days and continued as they progressed through the ranks of Umno.

However, the two men diverged politically after Anwar’s sacking from the party and government in 1998.

Last year, Anwar and Zahid managed to strike a deal to form a unity government, resulting in the two rivals working together for the first time.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the civil servants must make changes to help steer the country in a better direction.

The prime minister also urged his cabinet to work closely with civil servants, thus developing trust.

Anwar acknowledged that the cabinet and civil servants had shown the ability to work as a team over the past few months, such as in the management of migrant workers, recent flooding and the impending deployment of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to Turkey.

“There is goodwill from the leadership and the civil servants to take steps immediately and responsibly,” he said at the gathering. – February 7, 2023.