Insensitive comments threaten unity pact, Umno leaders tell DAP

 

Nur Jazlan Mohamed (left) and Dr Akmal Saleh said it would be easier for them to convince voters of the PH-BN pact if DAP leaders steered clear of sensitive issues.

PETALING JAYA: High-ranking leaders from Umno have urged DAP leaders to refrain from making insensitive comments that will negatively impact the working relationship between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).

Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed said such comments will upset Umno’s grassroots supporters and undermine the party’s efforts to convince the voters about the feasibility of PH and BN working together.

“These comments reinforce the Malays’ perception of DAP being a Chinese party that wants to remove Islam and Malay,” Nur Jazlan told FMT.

In an earlier report by FMT, several Umno grassroots leaders voiced their concern that the party will lose its relevance to Malay voters if it continues to be seen as being “chummy” with PH.

An unnamed division leader from Johor said although PH had won the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in the state, Umno grassroots members were not keen on helping PH candidates during the campaign.

Another leader from Pahang said that continued cooperation with PH outside of government affairs would see Umno losing support, as witnessed in the poor turnout for Umno in the Kemaman by-election.

In response, Nur Jazlan said Umno supporters cannot be “blamed” for their perceived unwillingness to support PH candidates because some Malay voters were taken aback by DAP leaders’ insensitive comments.

“DAP politicians have to be mindful,” said Nur Jazlan, who is the sitting deputy president of Dewan Negara.

Similarly, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh urged all component parties in PH to avoid commenting on issues that Malays find sensitive, such as Islam, royalty and their rights.“We can make friends with anyone but respect our principles and we are good to go (maintain our cooperation at the federal level),” Akmal told FMT.

Over the past few days, DAP’s Ngeh Koo Ham has drawn criticism from Umno leaders by proposing the inclusion of a non-Muslim constitutional expert in a special committee to study conflicts between shariah laws and the Federal Constitution.  - FMT