April 18, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – “Forced marriages” will not work if there is no mutual love among top leaders or at the grassroots level, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The former prime minister said that cracks are showing in the “forced marriage” of the ruling parties as they are openly attacking each other in the public domain.
The Bera MP was referring to the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and said that there is a likelihood that these cracks would soon lead to “a permanent break-up”.
“Whatever we do, it must be with mutual love. Forced marriages will not last long. A forced marriage like this (between former rival political parties) – if there is no mutual love – will crack and there will be a permanent break-up,” said Ismail Sabri at an event on Sunday.
“As for now, it is just the beginning, but there are already (cracks), what with DAP commenting on Umno and Umno retorting,” added the former Umno vice-president.
He said former Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed openly criticised DAP, and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang responded, adding that other members of the party jumped in and responded to Nur Jazlan.
“It cannot be a marriage between the top leadership only – there must be a marriage of love between those at the grassroots too. If not, this is what happens (open criticism against one another),” said Ismail Sabri.
“Perhaps it will get worse; I do not know what will happen. We shall wait and see,” he added.
On Apr 15, Nur Jazlan said Umno’s links to DAP in the unity coalition were making it difficult for the party to regain Malay support.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi also said Pakatan leaders such as Lim and PKR Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim were afraid of the possibility that a royal pardon for the former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would rejuvenate Umno.
Both Lim and Hassan have openly been opposed to the Umno Supreme Council’s plea to the Palace on April 9 for a royal pardon for former Umno president Najib.
Lim warned that the government could self-destruct, while Hassan said the government would face a major disaster if Najib is given a royal pardon.
Meanwhile in PUTRAJAYA, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke acknowledged that there would be differences between the parties under the present administration.
“In any relationship, there will be differences, as we are not from the same party.
“This is to be expected with regard to differences in opinions, but we are able to manage these differences,” he said.
Pakatan and Umno Cabinet members are working well together, he told reporters.