Stand by Tony Pua, Ong to support PM suspicious, says Ronnie Liu

 

DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu (centre) said he was surprised by what Damansara MP Tony Pua (left) and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming had said in support of Muhyiddin Yassin.

PETALING JAYA: The stand by two DAP leaders, seen to be leaning towards Muhyiddin Yassin’s bipartisan political cooperation offer, is suspicious, says a DAP leader.

DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu said Damansara MP Tony Pua and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming should realise that they are national party leaders and not just ordinary elected representatives.

He said their statements had angered the people, who were disappointed with the failure of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, especially in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Liu, who is also the Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said their stand was in contrast with that of Pakatan Harapan in rejecting the offer, which would have given a lifeline to Muhyiddin to stay in power and cause more people to suffer.

He said the duo must withdraw what they said.

“Otherwise, there will be an impression that there is an ‘unseen hand’ behind them … something that is not ‘natural’ and not right,” he told FMT.

On Friday, while all of the opposition parties had dismissed Muhyiddin’s proposed framework for bipartisan political cooperation, Pua remained among the few voices who felt it needed to be considered.

He listed three reasons why the MPs should look again at the proposal. Apart from preventing the political turmoil “killing” the country’s health and economy, he said Muhyiddin’s olive branch could potentially prevent an Umno MP from becoming prime minister.

He added that Muhyiddin’s proposal would also avoid a general election in the “midst of a pandemic”.

Meanwhile, Ong expressed an openness to discuss the proposals.

However, Liu disputed Pua’s claim that the country would be severely affected if a new prime minister is appointed from Umno.

“Who says the Agong will appoint a kleptocrat if Muhyiddin resigns?

“He (Pua) spoke as if there were no kleptocrats in the current government. Why do you want to lie?”

Liu was also surprised by Pua’s actions in favour of Muhyiddin.

“He asked us to accept Muhyiddin, after that he criticised Umno repeatedly.

“Umno is not our political enemy now. It seems that he is in favour of Muhyiddin … there is suspicion against him,” said Liu. - FMT