KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today claimed that trouble is brewing in the Anwar administration that will see the "unity government” break up soon.

The former prime minister alluded to friction between Umno and DAP ahead of the elections in six states that must be held this year, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

"Whatever we do, there must be mutual love. A ‘forced marriage’ does not work. In a ‘forced marriage’ like this, there are no feelings for each other, and in the end, there will be cracks.

"So far it is only the beginning. But DAP has commented on Umno, and Umno has commented on DAP,” Ismail Sabri, a former Umno vice-president was quoted as saying.

He said the political alliance between Umno and DAP must be accepted at all levels, not just at the leadership level, if the "marriage” were to work.

"This mutual love not only has to be at the leadership level, but also at the grassroots level, otherwise it will become worse,” he was quoted as saying.

Umno and DAP leaders have been making barbed remarks about each other in recent weeks as the political parties prepare for the state elections in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.

Perak DAP vice-chief Abdul Aziz Bari was reported saying that Umno’s role in drawing Malay’s support is still uncertain after last November’s general election as the Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional appears to have gained the upper hand in the rural heartland.

In response, Umno supreme council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed called the DAP a liability and the reason his party could not regain the confidence and support of the Malays.