The DAP state lawmaker at the centre of a political discord within the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) today denied he was sabotaging the coalition as alleged.
Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu told Malaysiakini that his highly debated article published yesterday was likely misunderstood as he had not asked coalition partner Bersatu to leave, despite his critical remarks against its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“No such thing. I love Harapan very much. I did not say in my article to ask Bersatu to leave,” Liu said.
DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said Liu’s statement, though made in his personal capacity, was irresponsible and could destabilise PH.
He also rejected Liu’s suggestion that DAP, PKR, Warisan and Upko could form the government without Bersatu.
“PH was formed by four parties – Bersatu, Amanah, DAP and PKR – and we won the 14th General Election through the mandate of the people. No PH leader, including those from DAP can question this.
“So, Ronnie Liu’s statement is seen by the party’s leadership as an act of sabotage and we find it a serious matter. As national organising secretary, I will refer him to DAP’s disciplinary committee,” said Loke.
Liu insisted his article was not extreme and that he was undeserving of disciplinary action.
“Which part of my article had gone overboard? I only tell [sic] Mahathir not to go against the agenda set by the Harapan.
“Mahathir made a lot of criticism and he himself welcomed criticism. So, why is this being considered a disciplinary issue?”
Liu also maintained that he is still very supportive of Mahathir’s leadership as prime minister despite his criticisms.
He said he was only reminding the prime minister to abide by their coalition’s agenda.
“My intention was good. I still support Mahathir and I never ask Bersatu to leave or to form the government without Bersatu,” Liu was quoted saying.
In his opinion piece titled ‘Mahathir: The Paper Tiger’, he warned Bersatu against making decisions that were not aligned with PH values.
He wrote that if the pact broke up over the prime minister’s actions, Bersatu, of which Mahathir was chairman, stood to lose the most.
The Selangor state lawmaker who is also a member of the DAP’s top decision-making central committee insisted his controversial article was a caution to prevent the year-old PH government from unravelling.
“I told him (that his insistence on) having his own way and doing whatever he likes may lead to the destruction of PH.
“Bersatu will end up the weakest party once PH is dissolved and Bersatu will not have any ally.”
In the opinion piece, Liu also hit out at Mahathir over several issues and questioned his leadership at the helm, including on matters pertaining to the transition of the premiership, controversial preacher Zakir Naik and crossovers of former Umno leaders into PH.
He also claimed Mahathir had perceived himself as “all-powerful” and sowed “discord” among PH components. Liu also pointed out that it was possible for all PH parties with the help of Upko and Parti Warisan Sabah to form a government without Bersatu.
Loke reiterated that talks on side-lining component members should not have taken root.
“No single leader from any component parties of PH should talk about exclusion of any component parties.
“This is a very strong message not only to Liu, but to everyone in PH.
“No one should ever try to destabilise PH. We will never tolerate that.
“We are committed to PH. We want to show our seriousness in upholding the unity of PH.”
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan Youth leaders today agreed that Liu had gone overboard with his criticism of Mahathir and said action must be taken against the DAP man.
Youth leaders from Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah in a statement thanked Loke for promising action against Liu.
“We believe that PH is open to any criticism, but it must be constructive. The statement from YB Ronnie Liu was irresponsible and action must be taken.
“PH Youth would like to thank Anthony Loke and the DAP disciplinary committee. Liu’s remarks only create unwanted speculation and dispute among Pakatan Harapan component parties.
“Our road to build a new Malaysia needs cooperation, strength and focus from each party. We also need to use our Malaysia Baru spirit when dealing with a conflict or disagreement,” they said.
On October 21, Liu wrote an opinion piece branding Dr Mahathir a “paper tiger” and added that Bersatu would be the biggest loser in the event of a snap election.
Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman earlier today warned that his youth wing would openly attack DAP and its leaders unless they took action against Liu.
The PH Youth statement released today was signed by Syed Saddiq as the Armada Youth chief, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir as PKR Youth chief, Mohd Sany Hamzan from Amanah Youth and Howard Lee as DAPSY chief.