FORMER Bangi MP and political analyst Ong Kian Ming is calling on the DAP to take a firm stance following the Pardons Board’s decision to grant former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak conditional house arrest.
Writing on Facebook as an independent observer after his recent resignation from the party, Ong pressed DAP leadership to deliver a strict ultimatum to Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: remove UMNO from the Cabinet before the next meeting on Sept 23, 2026.
According to Ong, forcing UMNO out of the unity government Cabinet would demonstrate Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) genuine opposition to UMNO’s push for Najib’s pardon and its efforts to crowd-fund his RM50mil fine.
He noted that Deputy PM and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has repeatedly taunted Anwar over Cabinet removal, making the current situation the ideal moment for the PM to respond.
Ong stressed that for an ultimatum to work, it must carry a credible threat.
He urged DAP to warn Anwar that its ministers will resign from the Cabinet – and potentially withdraw the support of its 40 MPs from the unity government entirely – if UMNO is not ejected. Such a move would severely jeopardise the Cabinet’s survival and force real political accountability.
Ong acknowledged that withdrawing parliamentary support could lead to new general elections, but he argued that if anti-corruption principles and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal truly represent a “red line” for DAP, the party must fully commit to demonstrating its dedication to its voter base.
Ong argued that targeting Anwar directly with a collective Cabinet exit is far more strategic than individual resignations, framing it as the ultimate test of PH’s reformist principles. — Sept 19, 2026
Main photo credit: The Edge Markets
