ALOR STAR: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today claimed that DAP has emerged as the 'big brother' in Pakatan Harapan's (PH) clashes with Barisan Nasional (BN) over Datuk Seri Najib Razak's appeal for a royal pardon. The Kedah Menteri Besar said the political cooperation between PH and BN was even more confusing following their contradicting stances over the incarcerated former prime minister's plea for a full royal pardon.
Sanusi, who is also the central Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director, was commenting on Parti Amanah Negara's (Amanah) apology to Umno after its leader issued a statement that allegedly offended the party, when DAP did not do so in a similar situation.
As such, he said he felt sorry for Amanah as the party seemed to be easily bullied by Umno.
"Amanah apologised to Umno. Umno is appealing (for a royal pardon) on behalf of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but Amanah disagreed. Umno became angry with Amanah, so Amanah apologised to Umno.
"DAP said they also disagreed, but Umno did not say a word against DAP. Isn't that confusing?
"They (Umno) bullied Amanah. I pity Amanah and how the party rushed to offer an apology (to Umno) just a day (after its leader issued the statement)," Sanusi said after chairing the state executive council committee at Wisma Darul Aman here today.
On Sunday, Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub extended an apology to Umno "for the hurtful and offensive remarks" made by its Communications director Khalid Abd Samad pertaining to Najib's royal pardon appeal.
He was reported as saying the apology was paramount to strengthen the party's position in the unity government.
The Agriculture and Food Security minister said this after a meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the deputy prime minister's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Putrajaya.
On April 7, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Umno would submit an appeal to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to consider granting a royal pardon to Najib soon, in accordance with Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Last week, Khalid issued a statement pleading with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject Najib's appeal to be pardoned and released from jail.
Najib, 69, is serving a 12-year-prison term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million in funds from 1MDB subsidiary, SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Khalid said this was the only way to protect the country's image and its commitment to combating corruption and abuse of power.In a follow up statement, he stressed that Umno should respect Amanah's stance on the issue.
In response, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi slammed Amanah and branded the party as "only a partner in a coalition of parties and not a genuine friend that Umno could rely on to champion the struggles of the party."
Sanusi claimed that the Umno-Amanah spat has revealed DAP as the 'big brother' in the political cooperation between PH and BN.
"With DAP, Ong Kian Ming said (the same stance) but (Umno) did not say anything. See, who is the big brother in PH and BN? I do not want that to happen (in PN). I want PN to continue leading the nation's politics," he said.
Yesterday, Ong, who is also former Bangi member of parliament, said DAP would not compromise on any bid to seek a royal pardon for Najib.
He was reported as saying the party was open to compromise, but drew the line at expediting a pardon for Najib who has only served eight months out of his 12-year jail sentence.
Ong, who appeared in Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by former Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan had said: "To me, for DAP's grassroots and maybe its leaders, the red line is Najib's freedom."