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.