DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has advised former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to not be so bleak about the future of the coalition government.
He also questioned if there were any other ulterior motives behind the former premier's criticisms.
"I would like to remind Ismail Sabri that this cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and BN to form a government is at the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"He should not, as a former premier, desire to see divisions in this government every day. I don't know what his intentions are as though he wants to see divisions in the government," Loke told reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Utusan Malaysia earlier reported Ismail Sabri as foreseeing further friction between Umno and DAP following a war of words between some figures within the two parties.
The Malay daily had last Friday reported Perak DAP vice-chairperson Abdul Aziz Bari as saying that Umno’s role with the Malays is now unclear as Perikatan Nasional has taken up the role.
He had also said that Umno was now in survival mode and dependent on Harapan.
This prompted Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed to retort that DAP was a liability for Umno to regain Malay votes.
There is also friction between Umno and Harapan over the former's push for former premier Najib Abdul Razak to receive a royal pardon.
Commenting on the tit-for-tat, Ismail Sabri remarked that a "forced marriage" would not work.
Marriage analogy not suitable
Loke, however, said the marriage analogy was not suitable.
"First of all, marriage is an institution that should be protected, but anyway in political cooperation, the concept of marriage is not appropriate.
"It's not applicable in political cooperation, it's not a marriage, it's a cooperation because of the need to form a stable government and the cooperation was encouraged by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," the transport minister remarked.
Loke added that the coalition government members were working hard to strengthen their relationship.
However, he did not discount that there were those who want to see friction among the government parties.
Regardless, Loke said differences of opinion are to be expected.
"I don't see there is war (of words), it's just expressing opinions," he added.
Asked whether he would advise DAP leaders to not trade barbs with Umno anymore, the party chief said that as a democratic leader, he would not impose a gag order.
"But as in any party, some of the opinions expressed are personal opinions. So when the party makes a decision (or stand), that is at that party level.
"My role is to strengthen the government, but I can't stop everyone from expressing their opinion.
"It will be tantamount to a very very autocratic party. I'm a very democratic person," he said. - Mkini
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