FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he only commented on the UMNO-DAP squabble as a concerned “elder” who does not want the clashes between the two parties to be covered in the media.
In saying that, the Bera MP further advised the parties to fight only behind closed doors, where public would not be able to see them.
“To me, parties that combine to form the government cannot clash out in the open, until the media reports it. As the elders say, it is best to keep the fight between a husband and wife within four walls, as otherwise, the neighbours and passers-by will notice,” Ismail Sabri
“If you need to fight, do it in the house and settle it off. Only then outsiders won’t know what our problem is,” Ismail Sabri told reporters.
Following a verbal spat between figures within the two parties, the former UMNO vice-president was giving an opinion on his previous comment that he foretells further tension between UMNO and DAP.
“Forced marriages do not work – there must be mutual love. It cannot be marriages between the top leadership only – there must be a marriage of love between those at the grassroots too. If not, this is what happens,” Ismail Sabri was reported as saying on Sunday (April 16).
“As for now, it is just the beginning, but there are already (cracks), what with DAP commenting on UMNO, UMNO commenting on DAP.”
“I cannot criticise?”
The remark sparked outrage, particularly from Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders.
DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook told Ismail Sabri that he should not be so pessimistic about the coalition government’s future and asked if the latter had any ill intentions for his critical comments.
Meanwhile, Kedah PH chairperson Datuk Mahfuz Omar likened the PH-BN government alliance to a marriage arranged by an elder (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) rather than a forced one.
On this matter, Ismail Sabri further elaborated that UMNO and DAP had always been on opposing sides of the political spectrum, but that changed after the 15th General Election (GE15) last year.
“To me, as an elder, I saw the bickering between the two parties, and I called it out. If people want to reprimand me for my remarks, does that mean I cannot criticise?” he asked.
Rather than quarrelling among themselves, Ismail Sabri went on to implore ruling party leaders to focus solely on the forthcoming state polls in six states, which are expected to be held this year. – April 20, 2023
Main pic credit: Utusan Malaysia
