KUALA LUMPUR: Demands for DAP to apologise to Umno for their past allegations against the party should end as it has agreed to terms set by Umno during negotiations, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
Downplaying the call by Umno Youth for DAP to openly apologise, the party president said such demands should not be brought up again as DAP had agreed to terms set by Umno during discussions prior to forming the unity government.
“DAP has expressed it many times – even during the talks to form the unity government – that the matter was among the main terms.
“They have agreed 100% (to the terms) and we should not keep talking about it again,” he told reporters yesterday.
Last December, Ahmad Zahid said DAP had given its word on accepting and complying with the four Articles enshrined in the Federal Constitution pertaining to Islam and the special rights of Malays.
Earlier in his policy speech, Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the apology should be issued before the parties in the unity government headed into state elections.
“When forming the Federal Government, DAP had flown to Sarawak to meet Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders to apologise.
“If they could be honest with GPS, why can’t they do the same with us?
“If you want to soothe the feelings of Umno members, if you are sincere in forging friendship, we ask DAP to retract their allegations against us,” he said.
Later yesterday, when wrapping up his speech at the Umno Youth meeting, Dr Muhamad Akmal maintained that Umno Youth will not retract its demand for an apology from DAP.
“It doesn’t matter if people say we are rude, as long as we have represented the voices of the grassroots,” he said.
On Nov 25 last year, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had called on GPS chairman and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Kuching to apologise.
He said if there were statements made by DAP leaders which had offended the state government and Sarawak people, “I, representing DAP, apologise openly”.
The elections to be held in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor will see Barisan Nasional, in which Umno is a component party, and Pakatan Harapan, whose members include DAP, forming an alliance to work together.
For decades, Umno and DAP have been political enemies.
