DAP chiefs think aloud about pact with Umno in Johor

 

Loke Siew Fook (centre), Liew Chin Tong (front row, second from left) and other Johor DAP members at the state convention in Johor Bahru today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Two DAP leaders look forward to stronger cooperation between DAP and Umno to face the next Johor state assembly elections, and the possibility of forming a unity coalition government in the state.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong said the cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional at the federal level could be used as the basis for stronger state cooperation.

“This collaboration is better discussed by the leadership at the state level who need to see if there is room to work as a team when the next state elections come around,” Loke was quoted as saying after opening the Johor DAP convention today.

The current state government was formed by BN after the state assembly elections last year. The next elections are not due until mid-2027.

Loke said it will be up to Liew to discuss the cooperation issue with the Johor Umno leadership, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“Personally, I am open to any proposal including establishing a unity state government in Johor, but all this needs to be discussed behind the scenes by Liew,” he was quoted as saying.

Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are coalition partners in the unity government formed by Anwar Ibrahim.

However, in Johor, the state government was formed by Barisan Nasional, which has 40 seats in the 56-member state assembly. PH, which holds 12 seats, is an ally providing confidence and supply support, but is not part of the state government.

The PH seats comprise 10 held by DAP, and one each by PKR and Amanah.

Loke said Johor DAP will support the state government’s development agenda including contributing ideas for the 2024 state budget presented by menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi recently.

Liew said the DAP-Umno cooperation in the government at the federal level was one of the reasons he suggested that the same should be done at the state level in Johor.

“It is also very appropriate when in matters with the state government they have given space to Pakatan Harapan to contribute ideas for the good and well-being of the people,” he said. - FMT