SHAH ALAM: Disagreements among party leaders in the unity government are normal and do not indicate a lack of compatibility between the parties.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said leaders have had similar issues based on the party's experience in Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Alternatif.
He said even Umno and MCA have had disagreements even though they have been together for years.
This was in light of the recent spat between DAP vice-president Teresa Kok and Umno Youth leader Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh on the halal certification issue, which saw the former suing the latter.
"These are personal issues, and such disagreements at the individual level should not affect the government's cooperation.
"To me, these are private matters between individual leaders.
"Our experience with all coalitions has been similar.
"Which coalition has never had disagreements? Even in Barisan Nasional, which has been around for decades, there have been disputes between Umno and MCA.
"So, this is a common occurrence in politics; there will always be individuals with their issues," Loke told reporters after the Selangor DAP convention.
More importantly, he said, the parties could work together well at the government level to benefit the nation.
On Oct 25, Kok filed a defamation suit against Akmal over his alleged slanderous remarks aimed at her on the country's halal certification issue.
The Seputeh member of parliament claimed Akmal had defamed her in two articles published on a news portal titled "Akmal: Saya Minta Kerajaan Sediakan Logo Non-Halal, Tampal Pada Dahi Teresa" and "Umno Youth Chief swipes at "old Nyonya" Teresa over halal cert" on Sept 8.
She is seeking, among others, general, compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages from Akmal, a Melaka state assemblyman and exco member.
She also sought an injunction to restrain him from further uttering, writing or publishing any similar words defamatory to her, as well as other reliefs deemed just and fit by the court.
Akmal had allegedly criticised Kok's claim that mandating halal certification for restaurants and food companies would only burden traders.
Kok had said the requirement could burden small businesses, restrict consumer freedom, and potentially clash with Malaysia's cultural diversity.
Police opened an investigation paper against Kok over her statement on the issue.