SEREMBAN: Barisan Nasional leaders slammed former DAP MP Tony Pua for his disparaging remarks about Umno and the coalition, while the DAP distanced itself from Pua’s comments.
Pua had earlier called Barisan and Umno, who are parties in the unity government with Pakatan Harapan, “corrupt”.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition will not issue any response to Pua’s remarks.
Any move to respond will only give credence to what has been uttered by the DAP politician.
“If we react, then it will look like it [what was uttered by Pua] is a big problem when in actual fact it is not,” he said here, adding that Pua’s remarks are not the official view of the DAP.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking after a meeting with the Negri Sembilan Umno leadership and election workers.
He said there was no need for Barisan to be bothered by Pua’s comments.
“I am also grateful to [DAP secretary-general] Anthony Loke, who has refused to endorse Pua’s statement.
“So as far as we are concerned, let’s move forward and stop throwing stones in glass houses,” he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the remarks against Barisan and Umno came from someone who is a “loose cannon” that cannot harm the unity government.
“It is regrettable that Tony Pua has attacked Barisan as corrupt. This is akin to declaring talak tiga (a final and irrecoverable divorce),” he said.
“Is he a ‘loose cannon’?
“If we [Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan] are friends, we don’t criticise our friends,” he said after opening the 43rd Koperasi Serbaguna Malaysia annual general meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
With parties gearing up for the upcoming state elections, Dr Wee said he was appalled that Pua had made such a remark at an official event.
“If we advocate the spirit of similarity in diversity in the unity government, then we must show our sincerity.
“You make fun of the support from other parties as if it were your chessboard. We are hurt by what he said,” he added.
During a DAP fundraising dinner on Friday, Pua reportedly took a swipe at Pakatan’s allies within the unity government and called Umno and Barisan “corrupt”.
Dr Wee said Pua should do some soul-searching as his party had received the support of Barisan to form the Federal Government.
In a Facebook post, Dr Wee questioned Pua’s intentions when Pua asked Pakatan to win the next general election and govern the country independently.
“Doesn’t it imply that Pakatan may betray Barisan? Is DAP planning to stab us in the back?” wrote Dr Wee.
Separately, Loke said in a Facebook post that Pua had made his remarks in his personal capacity, as he doesn’t hold any posts in the DAP.
“Pua’s remarks do not represent the DAP’s current stand and direction,” he added.
Loke said the DAP made a policy decision to cooperate with other political coalitions in order to achieve political stability.
