BN ready to be the opposition, DAP free to leave Umno - Isham

SHAH ALAM – Umno Supreme Working Council member Isham Jalil criticised former Damansara Member of Parliament from DAP Tony Pua, who labelled Barisan Nasional (BN) a 'corrupt alliance'.

He instead urged Tony Pua to suggest to DAP leaders to leave Umno, which is a part of the Unity Government, if the party was perceived to be too corrupt.

"There is no need to wait for the 16th General Election (GE16) if Umno is so corrupt and dirty.

“You can still suggest to the party leaders to leave Umno from the Unity Government.

"I'm okay with being the opposition. If it was not for the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Umno and BN were ready to be the opposition following the last GE15.

"Are you ready to be the opposition?" he asked on a Facebook post.

On Friday, Pua referred to BN – now in the Unity Government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) – as a 'corrupt coalition'.

The former DAP Publicity Secretary made the statement while addressing the DAP Fundraising Dinner held on the grounds of the Petaling Jaya City Hall (MBPJ), with the same title also used for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Pua also expressed hope that if the coalition wins the next election, PH could create its own government without the involvement of Umno and BN.

Isham said he was called to respond to the issue because Umno was repeatedly mentioned and slandered.

"I only had one thing to say to Pua. Your boss at the Finance Ministry also had a corruption case that he asked to be dismissed, and another is still pending.

"In fact, when your friends in the party were in government 22 months ago, there were allegations of corruption and they hopped to Perikatan Nasional or Bersatu and suddenly became 'clean.'"

"So, which part of you or your party is clean in comparison to Umno, which you claim is corrupt?" he said.