DAP deputy chairperson Nga Kor Ming has clarified his pledge to resign from the cabinet in an interview with a local Chinese daily last month.
In an interview with Oriental Daily last month, Nga warned that a landslide Umno victory in the Johor state election could lead to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s early release.
If that happened, he said he would be the first to resign from the cabinet and warned that DAP might also quit the federal government.
In a Facebook post today, Nga (above) urged those pressing for his resignation to read his full statement.
The housing and local government minister said that his statement during that interview reflects his long-standing position as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya: that the integrity of the country's judicial system must be upheld.
"If Najib, whose actions resulted in Malaysians having to bear RM51.4 billion in 1MDB debt, were to be released without serving a punishment commensurate with his offence despite having been found guilty, it would mean that the integrity of our judicial system had been compromised and that the principle of the rule of law, as enshrined in the Rukun Negara, was no longer being respected.
"Should such a situation arise, I would be prepared to resign as a member of the cabinet in order to defend the integrity of our beloved country's judicial system.
"This is not a matter of personal interest, but one of fundamental principle. I remain firmly committed to this principle," Nga said.
Appreciation for Harapan supporters
In his post today, Nga also expressed appreciation and gratitude to voters who backed Pakatan Harapan in the Johor state polls, as well as the campaign workers and volunteers who worked tirelessly to secure victory for the coalition.
"Although we did not win this time, tomorrow is another day," he added.
Berita Harian reported that Nga had avoided answering repeated questions about his resignation pledge during a community event in Kampung Bercham earlier.
“My heart is truly with the people. I can feel their pain and hardship. When I come to help, let us avoid all these issues.
“I know your (journalists’) objective. You have a duty to carry out. I also have responsibilities that need to be fulfilled.
“Let us work for the people and the country. Focus on the people’s welfare. I also have duties that I need to complete,” he reportedly said.
Nga's response followed Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man taking turns telling him of his “vow to resign if BN won the Johor state election”.
Akmal was blunt in his remarks, telling Nga he himself would write the resignation letter if the minister forgot how to do so.
“Nga Kor Ming, it’s okay. We’ll wait once this is over. If you do not know how to write a resignation letter, I’ll do it,” Akmal said in a short clip posted on his Threads account last night.
Tuan Ibrahim, while congratulating the coalition in a statement today, said that now that the state election is over, attention shifts to campaign promises.
In a Facebook post a while ago, Akmal again trolled and reminded Nga of his resignation pledge.
Akmal reminded of his resignation vow
Former Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi also urged Nga to resign from the cabinet immediately.
In the same post, Puad quipped that Nga should not follow Akmal's example, taking aim at the latter for failing to honour his resignation pledge despite his earlier bravado.
"Do not follow Akmal's example. He said he would resign, but did not. He came up with all sorts of reasons. Where there is a will, there is a way; where there isn't, there are a thousand excuses. The bottom line is that he has no integrity.
"Follow my example. When I said I was leaving the party, I did so. I said I would leave while the party was still in a strong position. That proved to be true, as BN went on to win 48 seats.
"I have no regrets because my message got across, even though I also lost my supreme council position," the Johor state legislative assembly speaker said.
On Feb 4, Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh said that Akmal remains the state executive council member for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security.
Bernama reported him saying that although the Merlimau assemblyperson had submitted a resignation letter from his post as an exco member, the matter has yet to be discussed with governor Ali Rustam.
“I have yet to consult (Ali)… which means that for now he remains an exco member," Rauf was quoted as saying.
Fight DAP till the end
At the Umno Youth assembly on Jan 15, Akmal announced his resignation from the Malacca government, vowing to fight DAP “till the end”.
“I am brave enough to state that I am resigning to ‘lawan DAP habis-habisan’ (fight DAP till the end),” he said to applause and cheers from the delegates.
Akmal said his decision was based on dignity.
“When people told me to resign, I wanted to say that I have dignity. I am someone who will carry the voice of the people at the grassroots. I carry the voice of grassroots members who are anxious.
“I hereby resign as an exco member of the Malacca government effective next week,” he said while delivering the Umno Youth policy speech at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
In response to Akmal’s resignation vow, Puad downplayed the move at the time.
Puad said Akmal’s reasoning that he wanted to “fight DAP until the end” did not “carry weight” compared with resigning from the Umno Youth chief post.
In a Facebook post, he added that Akmal did not need to resign from the state executive council, pointing out that BN leads the Malacca government. Mkini
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