Loke rubbishes claims that DAP-Umno is a forced marriage

PUTRAJAYA - DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke rubbishes former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri's statement that the party was in a forced marriage with Umno.

He explained that the concept of forced marriage was inappropriate for depicting the relationship of both parties.

"Marriage is for an institution to be defended, but political cooperation is to create a stable government," he said during a press conference at his ministry on Monday.

He said the existence of the unity government today is under the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"As the former prime minister, does he want to see a divide in the unity government?" he questioned.

Loke said the parties in the unity government celebrate their differences maturely.

"In any cooperation, including the unity government, we should attempt to strengthen the relationship," he said.

He said such when commenting on the Bera MP's statement that Umno and DAP were in a forced marriage and cracks were starting to form, which could potentially lead to a permanent split.

This was after the party leadership had openly attacked each other in a public space.

Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed on Saturday stated that Umno and DAP in the unity government coalition would complicate the party's efforts to gain Malay voters' support.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi said Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders such as Lim Kit Siang and Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim were afraid of the possibility of a royal pardon being given to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, which will aid in Umno's recovery.

Previously, both the PH leaders had openly gone against the Umno Supreme Council's appeal on April 9 for Najib's royal pardon.

Lim gave a warning that the government would destroy itself through such actions, while Hassan said the government would face a major disaster if Najib was granted a royal pardon.