Harapan leaders train guns at Nur Jazlan over 'attempt to sow discord'

A senior DAP leader today rebuked Umno supreme council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed for suggesting PKR and Amanah as mere passengers of the coalition government.

In a statement, DAP central committee member Lee Chin Chen regarded Jazlan’s statement as an attempt from within Umno to sow discord among Pakatan Harapan component parties.

Refuting the Umno leader’s notion as baseless, Lee stressed that every victory Harapan recorded was the result of all component parties’ hard work and called Jazlan to show sincerity in working with them.

“Every victory Harapan achieved was the result of tight cooperation between its component parties. For example, in the recent Pulai by-election, Harapan and BN working together led to a major victory that saw a significant majority of votes.

“This clearly proves the importance of inter-parties cooperation.

“I urge Jazlan to stop making statements that can sow discord. He should be sincere in working together with Harapan component parties, to ensure the stability and progress of the unity government,” he said.

Poker analogy

Lee’s statement came on the heels of Jazlan’s Facebook post earlier today, where the Johor BN deputy chief chided PKR and Amanah for allegedly demanding to be given many government positions despite the parties having fewer seats.

To further drive his point mocking PKR and Amanah, Jazlan also used poker as an analogy, saying that only Umno, DAP and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are considered skilled and experienced enough to sit at the main table.

“For me, only Umno, DAP, and GPS can be equated with professional poker players who know when to bluff, when to raise and when to take risks.

“What about the other parties? Let me be blunt. National politics aside, even in Johor politics, Amanah and PKR lack the qualification to sit at the main political poker table.

“They are more suited to sit at the ‘kuda’ machine or play roulette because they depend on luck and the defeat of their rivals, not the strength of their machinery or strategies,” he had said.

In his statement, Lee also reminded Jazlan that DAP, PKR and Amanah had been together through thick and thin and their camaraderie wouldn’t be easily affected by such an attempt.

Losing relevance

On a similar note, Johor PKR strategic director Arthur Chiong Sen Sern chided Jazlan for making such a statement, saying that the Umno leader is losing his relevance in politics.

He refuted the claim that PKR and Amanah were playing only a marginal role in the government, but instead are equally important partners that contribute in its policy making process.

“This unity government has proven that we are capable of putting aside our political differences for the sake of the country, and such a baseless statement would not affect our efforts towards ensuring the stability and prosperity of Malaysia.

“As the Dewan Negara deputy president, he (Jazlan) should play a more significant role in keeping the harmony instead of trying to sow disunity with irresponsible statements.”

Shah Alam PKR division deputy chief Najwan Halimi panned Jazlan for making “arrogant” remarks.

He reminded the former Pulai MP that no single political party had the majority to form a federal government after the 15th general election, including BN.

“No political coalition could form a federal government on its own. BN also could not form the state government in Perak and Pahang alone,” Najwan said.

It is better for political leaders from Harapan and BN to work together towards improving their cooperation, he added.

Najwan also mocked Jazlan’s poker reference, insinuating that the latter is an experienced gambler.

“I am unable to comment using analogies such as poker or ‘mesin kuda’ (slot machines) because I have never gambled before in my life.

“Usually only those who always play such games would know all their terms and techniques,” Najwan said.

Thank Harapan for helping cleanse 'rotten' Umno, PKR leader hits back

'Harapan should apologise to Umno over decades of allegations'

Remember when we were married, PAS tells 'abused' Umno

Mahkota results provide friendly-fire ammo for BN

Tajuddin: Umno undeserving of apology, be grateful for lifeline

Not all Chinese opportunists, says Nur Jazlan after acupuncture