GEORGE TOWN: In what many view as the first sign of friction between Penang Parti Warisan and DAP, the Sabah-based party has cold-shouldered a call from Penang DAP to team up.
The state’s latest Warisan member, former DAP stalwart Datuk Danny Law Choo Kiang, issued a statement on Tuesday (Jan 25) pointing out that Warisan left Pakatan Harapan Plus in April last year.
“We are only cooperating as an Opposition bloc in Parliament for the benefit of the people. But we are not part of Pakatan,” he said.
Danny, who was with DAP for 35 years, felt it was “not right” for DAP to advocate the “big tent” concept among the Opposition and yet sign an MOU with the government last September.
“Ramasamy said DAP isn’t the enemy but they have thrown support for the enemy.
“Where is DAP and Pakatan taking the entire Opposition to?” Law asked.
Law’s retort was triggered by Penang DAP deputy chairman Dr P. Ramasamy’s statement on Tuesday (Jan 25) calling for Warisan to form a pact with Pakatan.
In a lengthy statement, Ramasamy said while he was glad that Warisan had spread its wings to the peninsula, “recruiting disgruntled former leaders of DAP or PKR might not do anything good for the long-term relationship of Warisan and Pakatan component parties”.
Urging Warisan to “be careful in distinguishing its friends and foes”, Ramasamy stressed that Pakatan looked forward to an electoral pact with Warisan.
But Law was not having any of it.
“Government’s MPs have already backed an Umno prime minister. Is DAP now trying to rope in all Opposition MPs to support the prime minister as well?
“Who then will remain as the Opposition, fighting for the people?” Law asked.
Last September, the government and Pakatan leaders signed an MOU for bipartisan cooperation and political stability while the country fights the pandemic.
About a week ago, Law, former DAP member of parliament Jeff Ooi and former staff chief of Penang DAP headquarters Martin Lim joined Warisan.