(Kuala Lumpur, 5th) MCA Vice President Datuk Tan Teik Cheng criticized that recent remarks by DAP leaders surrounding the issue of a pardon for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib are nothing but a carefully choreographed political drama, with a good cop, bad cop division of labor, aimed at continually manipulating the emotions of their supporters to win votes.
In a statement on Sunday, Tan Teik Cheng said DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook claimed that if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar were involved in corruption, DAP would immediately withdraw from the government; Vice Chairman Nga Kor Ming went a step further by saying that if Barisan Nasional secures a decisive victory in the Johor state election, eventually leading to Najib's release, DAP does not rule out withdrawing from the government.
“However, just as these tough remarks succeeded in stirring up the emotions and applause of the grassroots supporters, DAP veteran Teng Chang Khim immediately stepped out to ‘put out the fire’ by publicly stating that if Najib were pardoned and DAP collectively withdrew from the cabinet as a result, it would be an irresponsible act.”
He said DAP is clearly aware that its previously high-profile “withdraw from government” rhetoric is likely something it cannot eventually deliver, and thus arranged for a senior figure to come out and soften things, laying the groundwork for future political maneuvering.
“If Najib is indeed released in the future, DAP can then conveniently use Teng Chang Khim’s statement, claiming that quitting the government is irresponsible, and thus need not deliver on its prior political promises. This is not about principle; it is sheer political calculation.”
Tan Teik Cheng pointed out that former DAP state assemblywoman Marina has already exposed that the party has long used the Najib issue as a political tool, reigniting it at every election to stimulate supporters and consolidate votes.
He indicated that, according to Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the power of pardon belongs to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, exercised upon advice from the Pardons Board. Apart from the Prime Minister and the Attorney General as statutory members, DAP leader and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Federal Territories, Hannah Yeoh, is also among the statutory members of the Pardons Board.
“On one hand, DAP has ministers who are part of the official process, and yet on the other hand seeks to place full blame for any future pardon decision on the government and even threatens to withdraw from the government because of it—is this not self-contradictory and self-deceiving?”
Tan Teik Cheng said what DAP fears most today is not whether Najib receives a pardon, but losing the ‘Najib card’ that has so long underpinned their political mobilization.
He emphasized that DAP must stop exploiting the Najib issue and stop hijacking the people's emotions and sense of justice as political bargaining chips.
“If DAP truly believes that a pardon for Najib means they must withdraw from the government, then DAP should clearly tell the people: Regardless of the constitutional process behind the decision, who makes the recommendation, or who gives the final approval, will they fulfill their promise without hesitation? Or is this just another carefully designed political performance for votes?”