Asyraf Wajdi thanks Loke for not fielding Pua in state polls

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has thanked DAP for not fielding Tony Pua in the coming state elections, following the latter’s remarks labelling Barisan Nasional (BN) as “corrupt”. 

Asyraf said that his DAP counterpart Anthony Loke had contacted him and assured that the former Petaling Jaya MP would not be listed as a candidate from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) component party for the state polls. 

“(Loke) contacted me and gave his assurance that (Pua) would not be fielded as a DAP candidate in the upcoming state elections, in line with my calls (for DAP to not field Pua).

“Thank you (Loke),” Asyraf said in a brief Facebook post today. 

This comes after Loke had told reporters in Putrajaya today that DAP is not naming Pua as a candidate as the former lawmaker himself had no interest in contesting elections.

Asyraf had earlier urged DAP to ensure that Pua does not contest in the state elections, claiming that Pua, who was the adviser to then finance minister Lim Guan Eng in 2018 during PH’s time in federal power, was the reason the country is still suffering economically.

This follows Pua’s speech at a Petaling Jaya DAP fundraising event recently where he said that BN is “corrupt,” adding that PH must prove it is multiracial, “clean and not corrupt compared to Malay-based nationalist parties like Umno and Bersatu.” 

His remarks drew immediate outcry from Umno and BN figures, as DAP and Umno are currently allies in the unity government and will face the six state elections on the same side.

Loke subsequently distanced DAP from Pua’s remarks, calling them his personal opinion. Loke also said his remarks were uncalled for while at such a time under the unity government and stressed that Pua no longer holds a position in the party.

During the run-up to last year’s general election, Pua had announced that he would be sitting out the polls. Loke had then praised him as being “one of the most hardworking MPs in Parliament” who had “massively contributed” to the party’s development. – The Vibes, June 25, 2023