DAP will not take any action against former Damansara MP Tony Pua over the latter's remarks on the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s jail sentence.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke joked that Pua would not comply even if asked to apologise over the issue.
"Would Tony Pua apologise if instructed by Anthony Loke? He wouldn't; he doesn't need DAP to make a living today, he's not an MP either.
"From what I know of him, with his character, he definitely wouldn't do that," Loke said in an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily yesterday.
Loke, who is also the transport minister, added that DAP would not take disciplinary action against Pua since he did not violate the party's discipline, and would let the police handle the case.
On Monday, Bukit Aman quizzed Pua for more than an hour over his Facebook posts regarding Najib's sentence and fine reduction.
He later had his laptop confiscated to facilitate investigations.
Police said Pua's remarks were seditious for criticising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power to grant pardons and inciting others to hate the royal institution.
Why choose sarcasm?
Loke said he acknowledged Pua's contribution to the party and the latter's part in shedding light on the 1MDB scandal, but said he was "not the only one."
He opined that Pua should not have used sarcasm to comment on Najib's reduced sentence, even though the latter felt strongly about the matter.
"I know he has indeed spent a lot of time and effort exposing the 1MDB issue, and I can understand his personal feelings, but from the party's standpoint, there should be different ways of expression.
"Today, within the unity government, you can express your stance in a very open, positive manner, but he chose sarcasm," said Loke.
With DAP being an ally of Umno in the coalition government, there was no need for confrontative remarks, he added.
"If every time we have to end up (being) in tension and opposition, how can the government function?"
Among those who backed Pua after the issue broke was former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, who called on the DAP leadership to not forget the 1MDB scandal.
Commenting on this, Loke said that Ong's remark was "nonsense", as the biggest reason for the change of government in 2018 was the 1MDB scandal.
"Firstly, regarding Najib and the 1MDB scandal, DAP's position was always clear and has never wavered.
"We decided to work with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also because of this," he said.
"If it was not for the consolidation of all forces to overthrow Najib, Pakatan Harapan would not have cooperated with Mahathir.
"Therefore, DAP will not forget this position, and anyone, including Ong Kian Ming, saying that we have forgotten our position is nonsensical and completely incorrect (sic)," Loke added.
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