Umno-DAP 'dream team' may become a reality - Kadir Jasin

 

Former Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin said speculations of Umno and DAP forming political cooperation may become a reality.

Kadir, who is aligned to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said he had received information about a potential Umno-DAP collaboration even before the collapse of the Bersatu-led Perak government.

An hour before the collapse of the Perak government, Kadir (above) said he was informed by a trusted person of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that it was going to happen.

Kadir said he then inquired who would replace the Perak government.

"He (the source) replied at 10.04am saying: 'Umno 25, DAP 16, Amanah 5 and PKR 3. Umno becomes menteri besar. DAP agreed to work with Umno in next election," Kadir said on Facebook.

An hour later, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu was ousted as the Perak menteri besar.

Faizal led the coalition government in Perak comprising Perikatan Nasional's Bersatu and PAS, BN's Umno as well as Gerakan and an independent.

However, 24 Umno assemblypersons joined another 24 from the opposition Pakatan Harapan against Faizal (photo) in a confidence vote.

Following the incident, Kadir said he inquired with a DAP central executive committee member about the alleged DAP and Umno tie-up but the leader downplayed the speculation.

However, Kadir said moments later he was informed about a similar tie-up by a Chinese Malaysian fund manager who is based in Hong Kong.

"(He said) Umno and DAP working together. Dream team finally coming together," Kadir recounted.

"Are these messages about an Umno-DAP cooperation only talk or the precursor of a new reality?" he added.

Kadir then pointed out if Mahathir could join forces with DAP in the past to oust BN, there was no reason Umno couldn't adopt the same tactic.

Furthermore, he noted that Umno's MCA and MIC partners in BN are unable to draw non-Malay support which has shifted towards DAP.

"It won't be surprising if DAP, which has tasted power in Harapan, aspires a return to Putrajaya through a new coalition with Umno.

"Such is the nature of political manoeuvring where conspiracies are not just a theory but can become reality," he said.

Kadir's comments came amid Umno and DAP leaders indicating that they are open to a tie-up.

Both Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming have signalled that cooperation could happen.  

Earlier today, Umno's Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad also hailed Harapan as a "strategic partner" amid calls by some in Bersatu to oust Hasni in a similar way that Umno ousted Bersatu's Faizal in Perak.

Hasni's state budget easily passed the Johor assembly.

 - Mkini