Contrary to speculation of daggers being pointed at each other's throat, a minister has claimed that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Dr Mahathir Mohamad are not at war.

Umno supreme council member Abdul Rahman Dhalan preferred to term it as differing opinions.

The urban wellbeing, housing and local government Minister said Mahathir's criticisms were always constructive although hard-hitting and sometimes disagreed upon.

However, he pointed out that the government under the leadership of Najib was open to criticism.

"I think if the criticism is apt and has a basis, the government is always prepared to listen to it and improve on what needs to be improved.

"To say there's an awful 'war' going on (between Mahathir and Najib) is incorrect," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

To show the two leaders are not at war, Abdul Rahman cited instances where the former premier and Najib were seen seated together, talking and discussing at various functions.

"I don't think there is any big issue. Perhaps there are differences of opinion (between the two)," he said.

Abdul Rahman was commenting on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim who wanted to play the role of peacemaker .