DEMOCRATIC Action Party (DAP) adviser Lim Guan Eng has hit back at Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican over remarks accusing DAP and PKR of engaging in identity politics, questioning whether Umno-DAP cooperation in the Penang government can remain stable amid such criticism.
Lim described Reezal’s comments as unfair and hostile towards political partners in the state administration, arguing that BN and PN were the parties that had historically practised identity-based politics.
"By accusing DAP and PKR of indulging in identity politics when it is Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) that are the real culprits.
"Can ties between Umno and DAP in the Penang government remain cordial and tension-free when Umno become the ‘enemy within’ (gunting dalam selimut) to make such unwarranted attacks?" Lim said in a social media post.
Lim said he was particularly concerned by Reezal’s suggestion that DAP also engages in identity politics, despite describing the Umno leader’s overall remarks as measured and cordial.
"With friends like these, one does not need enemies. Particularly when previous bitter foe PN has now turned into Umno's firm friend.
"Will Umno now leverage its current position to use Penang's government resources to help PN and sideline PH?
"The time has come for our state's political leadership in PH to act decisively on behalf of our voters in defending our honour and dignity as the Penang state government and as elected leaders," he said.
Reezal had earlier said that ties between Umno and DAP in Penang remained cordial despite political differences during the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
The Bertam assemblyman, who is also Kepala Batas Umno division chief, described the relationship as professional and stable, while acknowledging that developments in the southern state elections could affect cooperation between BN and PH.
"But what happened in Johor and Negeri Sembilan will definitely have an impact. We can’t deny that reality," Reezal said, referring to the BN-PH alliance and Umno’s political cooperation with PAS.
Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the coalition had yet to decide whether Umno would remain part of the state unity government amid BN’s growing cooperation with PN.
Reezal maintained that he had continued to maintain a professional working relationship with the Penang state administration and said Chow’s government was aware of his approach.
"I have spoken with my friends here in Kepala Batas, whether they are in BN or our allies in the unity government, and told them that regardless of the situation, we want to ensure that we maintain our close relationship because, ultimately, we want to benefit the people here."
Reezal also argued that political parties had traditionally been associated with representing specific communities, citing examples from the Negeri Sembilan election campaign.
"In Negeri Sembilan, PAS was championing Islam. Umno was championing Malay interests. MCA championed Chinese interests and MIC, Indian interests. There is clarity here.
"Meanwhile, on the other side, perhaps I could be wrong, but DAP, despite being portrayed as multiracial, is seen as focussing on one race. Maybe PKR is also seen as focussed on a single race. People don’t see clarity in these parties," he was reported as saying. - August 7, 2026
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