FEDERAL Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh has mounted a robust defence of cross-party cooperation within the Unity Government, insisting that the true test of political leadership lies in the ability to work constructively with those who hold different views in order to serve the public interest.
Her remarks come at a time when political rhetoric surrounding cooperation between parties has intensified, with debates over alliances and governance increasingly dominating the national conversation.
According to Hannah, ordinary Malaysians are less concerned about political differences among leaders and more interested in whether elected representatives can collaborate effectively to solve real-world problems.
“The real strength of a leader lies in the ability to work together with those who are different for the sake of the people.
“Sit at the same table. In Kuala Lumpur, UMNO has one parliamentary seat, namely Titiwangsa, while Pakatan Harapan holds 10 parliamentary seats.
“However, the spirit of governing together under the MADANI Government has always been the priority. I have never believed that a leader’s strength is measured by who he rejects,” she said in a Facebook post.
Drawing on her experience overseeing affairs in the Federal Territories, Hannah pointed to her working relationship with Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as an example of how political cooperation can function effectively despite party differences.
She revealed that Kuala Lumpur’s Members of Parliament maintain a common communication platform regardless of political affiliation, reflecting what she described as a culture of inclusiveness rather than division.
“Although he is the only UMNO Member of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, we have only one WhatsApp group together with all the other Kuala Lumpur Members of Parliament. There is no segregation.”
Hannah said she has regularly sought Johari’s views on a wide range of issues affecting the Federal Territories, including the management of Ramadan bazaars, hawker-related matters, the development of Kampong Bharu and appointments to boards within the Federal Territories administration.
She argued that constructive engagement with colleagues from different political backgrounds often produces better outcomes for citizens and strengthens governance.
“From his experience, I learned that listening to different views often produces better decisions for the people.
“For me, that is the strength of a government built on cooperation. DAP does not dominate but also listens to the views of our partners in government. That is comradeship. That is respect,” she said.
Her comments underscore the Unity Government’s continued emphasis on consensus-building and shared decision-making, presenting cooperation rather than political exclusivity as the foundation of effective administration and long-term stability. - June 10, 2026
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