DAP defends itself, blames Umno for testing boundaries of unity govt pact

DAP has hit back at Umno’s accusation that it is straining ties within the unity government, accusing it of testing the limits of the inter-coalition pact.

DAP legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh cited the ongoing engagements and political alignment between Umno-Barisan Nasional and PAS, despite Umno being a core partner in the unity government alongside Pakatan Harapan.

“Working with the opposition while simultaneously sitting in the administration raises serious questions about Umno’s sincerity and commitment to the coalition’s shared mandate, which can seriously destabilise the government,” Ramkarpal said in a statement.

“This was clearly evident in the Johor, Negeri Sembilan and the ongoing Melaka state elections.”

The DAP deputy secretary-general also cited a pattern of continuous, open criticism directed at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by figures within Umno.

He said that while constructive internal debate is healthy in any coalition, persistent public attacks only weaken Anwar’s authority and undermine public confidence in the government as a whole.

He also cited the calls by Umno leaders for the early dissolution of Parliament while both BN and PH are actively governing together, which he said demonstrates utter disregard for the stability promised to the public.

Ramkarpal was responding to Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said, who criticised DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo for challenging Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign if he did not support Anwar’s prime ministership.

Gobind’s remarks were in response to Zahid’s statement on Tuesday that dissolving Parliament would be preferable to a Cabinet reshuffle, following DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s resignation as transport minister.

Azalina said Gobind’s statement was “regrettable” and did little to strengthen the spirit of cooperation within the unity government.

She said issuing public ultimatums to the president of a coalition partner was neither constructive nor consistent with the spirit of the unity government’s agreement.

However, Ramkarpal pointed out that the unity government agreement was entered primarily to ensure a stable government.

He asked Azalina to “honestly reflect” on her party’s commitment to the continuance of a stable government, noting that Umno’s recent acts had undermined the stability and the spirit of the said agreement.

“If there is any talk of breaching trust or violating the terms of our political cooperation and the said agreement, the record speaks for itself,” he said.

“It is Umno’s actions, not DAP’s, that have strained the consensus and tested the boundaries of the said agreement.”

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