KUALA LUMPUR – A DAP lawmaker has questioned if government ally, Umno, will work with opposition parties in the future since it is “teaming up” with PAS for a rally on Monday for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a statement today, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said while the unity government was formed to ensure stability and progress, the rally for Najib suggests that “some” in Umno may be prioritising personal and political interests.
“If Umno can work with PAS to further such agendas, what’s stopping them from aligning with other opposition parties in the future?” he questioned, claiming that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had yesterday confirmed the team-up.
For the record, Zahid when speaking yesterday, did not provide a direct answer when asked about PAS’ involvement in Umno’s rally for Najib, instead requesting that reporters direct their queries to the Perikatan Nasional component party.
The deputy prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairman had also affirmed that Umno’s rally will proceed as planned, despite chastisement from DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, brushing aside the latter’s remarks as the personal opinion of someone “past his era”.
Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi had also previously said the party had planned to hold its rally long before PAS announced its plans for a similar event.
Umno plans to rally on January 6 outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya where the Court of Appeal will hear Najib’s application on a purported royal addendum order allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for corruption under house arrest.
PAS on Dec 28 announced plans for a similar rally to show solidarity with Najib and to demand justice, with party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan issuing a letter to members to “send a clear signal to the Madani government about the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law”.
Meanwhile, Lip Eng, who is also a DAP Central Executive Committee member, questioned whether Umno prioritises the nation’s progress and welfare, or the protection of a convicted individual.
“Malaysians voted for justice, fairness and good governance – not for political deals that undermine the rule of law and public trust.
“(Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and his administration must take a firm stance against actions that risk politicising the judiciary or eroding confidence in the nation’s legal system,” he added.
He also said that the unity government must prioritise its reform agenda as the cornerstone of the nation’s progress.
In a press conference on December 31, Guan Eng cautioned that Umno and PAS’ presence at the pro-Najib rally has raised concerns on Putrajaya’s stability and eroded public confidence in Umno’s sincerity as part of the unity government.
Guan Eng, who is also the Bagan MP, said Umno should know that any joint event with PAS, an opposition party, will raise doubts about Umno’s position in the unity government.
PAS’ move has led to questions over why it is suddenly showing support for Najib, with Umno Federal Territories information chief Datuk Ghulam Muzaffar Gulam Mustakim calling the opposition party “opportunists” who want to gain political advantage from Najib’s situation.
The High Court previously rejected Najib’s judicial review application for the government to confirm and implement the supposed addendum order, as well as his bid to adduce new evidence supporting the order’s existence.
This led to the former Umno president taking the matter up with the appellate court. – January 3, 2025