KUALA LUMPUR – MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has taken Tony Pua to task for making negative remarks on Barisan Nasional (BN) while the coalition’s negotiations with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on the upcoming six state elections are underway.
He said the words uttered by Pua, who is a former DAP MP, at a fundraising dinner for the party, are bound to confuse supporters of the parties working together in the unity government.
“Many are confused as to what is happening. If he raises such things (criticisms), people will answer: what about his own party?
“If we support the spirit of togetherness of the unity government, that sincerity should be shown instead of the opposite,” he said at a press conference after officiating an MCA event at the party’s headquarters here today.
Pua, who formerly served as MP in Petaling Jaya Utara and later Damansara, had reportedly yesterday criticised BN, calling the coalition corrupt at the event organised by Petaling Jaya DAP to raise funds for the party’s activities in Selangor.
He reportedly expressed hope that PH would be able to form its own government without involving Umno and BN in the next general election.
Wee likened Pua’s assertion to be sloppy and like a “gutter”.
“I’m puzzled. Is this being a sloppy mouth or a guttermouth? If we want to be friends, we don’t worsen our friendship.”
He warned that Pua’s action will harm the cooperation.
“Look at the reaction from (BN) supporters. It’s all bad,” he said.
‘Move on’
He stressed that he felt Pua’s assertion did not reflect the spirit of togetherness in the present government that should be shown to the parties’ supporters and the public.
Wee added that BN has maintained its dignity despite supporting the government of today to get majority support after the last election.
He said every leader in the cooperation needs to continue to step forward without provoking others.
“The Agong has said to move on. All MPs and the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) also said move on. So we move on,” Wee said.
Meanwhile, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said he had sent a protest note to the top DAP leadership.
He urged DAP not to let Pua contest as a candidate in the coming state elections, saying this would be for the sake of preserving harmony in the unity government.
“Pua is dreaming and has forgotten that the unity government today is not a PH government alone, but a coalition government of BN, PH, GPS, GRS and Warisan all of which comprise 19 political parties. What he said just shows his shallowness,” Asyraf said in a Facebook post.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today lambasted Pua for making critical remarks against the unity government, stressing that any provocative remarks towards the unity set-up is not in line with the party’s policy.
He also said that Pua “no longer holds any position in the party” and that in this context, the latter’s views do not represent those of DAP.
Loke added that DAP’s highest body made a policy decision to cooperate with other political parties to ensure the country’s stability. – The Vibes, June 24, 2023
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