There is no 'big brother' in PH

ALOR SETAR - Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar has denied allegations that DAP is the 'big brother' in Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He said different opinions on matters is not a strong enough reason to label a certain party as a 'big brother' who allegedly controls other component parties in PH.

Mahfuz also reminded all parties not to make the issue of pardoning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a political subjects even if they have their own views about it.

"Differing views on an issue is a norm in politics particularly when there are various parties that make up the Unity Government. But it doesn't mean that PH has a 'big brother' and DAP is not the 'big brother' in PH.

"On the issue of Najib's royal pardon, the statement issued by former Bangi DAP MP Ong Kian Ming is not an official DAP statement. Ong does not represent DAP anymore as a representative of the people, other DAP leaders didn't say anything. That is why I can not refer to his statement as an official DAP statement,' he said in a press conference at Wisma Amanah, here, today.

On Tuesday, Ong gave a warning that the boundary between PH and BN coalition should not be crossed, including the release of Najib before the end of his prison term.

Previously, Amanah had apologised to Umno for its Communications Director Khalid Abd Samad's statement about the issue.

The situation caused a polemic between leaders of Amanah, Umno and DAP as they each issued differing statements.

Following that, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had described Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition as being in a disoriented state and he also expressed sympathy for Amanah who seemingly was pressured by the 'big brother' in PH.

Mahfuz, on the other hand, described Amanah leader's act of apologising to Umno as a noble act to resolve the conflict due to statements from various parties.

"Whether we are wrong or not, apologising is a noble act. During Hari Raya, we forgive and apologise to everyone even if we don't know we did something wrong or not.

"More importantly, the leaders know how to resolve the tension that was formed. Similarly to how it is in a household, the husband and wife sometimes quarrel, it's a norm and it applies in politics too," he said.

Mahfuz also asked all parties to leave the issue to be decided by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

"Apologising or forgiving is to clear up the situation or improve the relationship so we would be closer friends. What is his (Sanusi) problem to question Amanah's actions of apologising to Umno?

"In the issue of Najib's royal pardon, we should fix our relationship as ordered by His Majesty to strengthen the Unity Government. We should appreciate the trust given by the Malay Rulers who see the need to stabilise the country's politics so we can develop," he stressed