DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng questioned the stance of the Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, which continues to support UMNO's role in the state government administration, despite statements allegedly attacking DAP and PKR.
He said that this stance was difficult to understand when no response was given to the statement by Bertam State Assemblyman (ADUN), Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who allegedly made unfounded accusations against DAP and PKR regarding identity politics issues.
According to him, Reezal Merican had previously denied that Barisan Nasional (BN) was exploiting identity politics in the Negeri Sembilan State Election (PRN) but instead claimed that DAP and PKR were only focusing on one race.
"How does this approach of the Penang PH political leadership convey the message to voters that we will act decisively to defend our dignity and honour as the Penang government and as leaders elected by the people?" he said in a statement on Facebook on Monday.
On Saturday, PH Penang decided to continue its collaboration with BN and UMNO in the state administration.
The decision was announced by PH Penang chairman Chow Kon Yeow after chairing the state PH meeting on Saturday evening.
According to him, the agreement includes retaining BN Exco Datuk Rashidi Zinol who holds the Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship portfolio in the Penang government administration, in line with the cooperation understanding or 'electoral pact' that was forged during the 2023 PRN.
Chow said PH Penang also took note of the national-level stance that the Unity Government would remain until the next general election (GE).
Meanwhile, Lim, who is also the former Chief Minister of Penang, said that differences in political views between parties in the government should not be an excuse to leave unfounded accusations against PH component parties unanswered.
The Air Putih assemblyman said the party's principles and dignity must be defended, especially when leaders elected by the people issue statements that can affect relations between parties in the state government.
"It is difficult to understand when we are ready to continue UMNO's role in the state government, but at the same time, there is no clear stance on statements attacking DAP and PKR.
"The question is, what message are we sending to the people when we do not defend our own stance and dignity?" he said.
He added that government cooperation must be based on mutual respect, not by sacrificing principles or allowing any party to make accusations against its own friends without an answer.
"Political cooperation does not mean we have to remain silent when there are unfounded accusations. We still have to defend our principles and explain our stance to the people," he said. – August 10, 2026
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