KUALA LUMPUR: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is not in the “right frame of mind” for telling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) component parties to break off with Umno.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong took a swipe at the DAP secretary-general and told Lim to examine his own party before slamming MCA, Gerakan and SUPP.
Wee said this in relation to Lim’s remark today where the latter took a dig at the three parties for not breaking ties with Umno due to Umno’s co-operation with Pas on several issues.
“Why should MCA break up with Umno? Pas is not part of BN. Lim is totally confused. He is the one who formed the Selangor state government with Pas.
“They are still colleagues and partners until now so why shift the blame to MCA?” Wee said when contacted.
Last Friday, Pas President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in an opinion piece said Islam has outlined that a national leader and his Cabinet members must profess the Islamic faith and they must be from the most influential race.
Hadi also quoted Islamic scholar al-Mawardi, who stated that while it was required by Islam for non-Muslims to be appointed as ministers, their role would only be restricted to management duties.
Hadi’s opinion was not well-received by BN and opposition leaders who stressed on the importance of following the principles of democracy.
Lim in a statement posted on his Facebook account today wrote “MCA, Gerakan and SUPP dare not break off ties with an Umno that sought co-operation with Pas to save Umno’s support.”
The Bagan MP also said: “Despite such betrayal by Umno, political parties like MCA, Gerakan and SUPP continue to stick with Umno.”
Describing Lim’s accusation as an attempt to divert attention from his party being friendly with Pas, Wee pointed out that DAP has no one to blame but themselves.
“Lim himself should be blamed because despite having different ideologies DAP worked with Pas in previous general elections. It was DAP who told the people then that a vote for Pas is equivalent to a vote for DAP.
“So why the sudden U-turn and passing the blame to MCA? Shame on you for trying to divert the attention,” Wee added.
Umno had so far cooperated twice with Pas where they held rallies to condemn the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya and recently on US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Despite the opposition parties claiming that Umno and Pas are working together for the 14th General Election, both parties however have made it clear that they have made no such plans.