‘Be cautious when dealing with Umno’ – DAP leaders

DAP deputy chairman Ramkarpal Singh Deo urged Pakatan Harapan (PH) to exercise caution when engaging with Umno, following their readmission into the state government following the recent state elections. These elections saw Umno's involvement in a political pact with Perikatan Nasional (PN), a partnership that resulted in significant losses for PH, particularly in Negeri, which had been a stronghold for the coalition for the past two terms.

The lawyer emphasized the bitter aftertaste PH experienced due to Umno's conduct during the Negeri Sembilan and Johor state elections.

Chow Kon Yeow, the state PH chairman and chief minister, maintained that cooperation with Umno was essential for stability in the state and for honoring the electoral pact they had signed. Despite calls for Umno's removal from the state government, Chow opted not to jeopardize the political situation further, retaining Umno's state executive councillor, Datuk Rashidi Zinol, who oversees Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Entrepreneurship.

Ramkarpal noted that following the electoral defeats, PH must bolster its support and regain the trust of the electorate, which they might have forfeited. During the meeting, there was a debate over retaining Umno in the state executive councillor line-up. A veteran DAP member criticized the decision, stating that Umno's actions during the campaign, such as their characterization of Anthony Loke (Siew Fook) as being "killed off" in Chennah, demonstrated their betrayal and lack of principles.

The veteran questioned the rationale of entering an agreement with a party that consistently behaves in such a manner.