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MELAKA – Melaka Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Adly Zahari has accused Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan of making slanderous remarks about DAP leaders, alleging that the claims were intended to discredit the coalition ahead of the state election.
Adly, who is also the incumbent Bukit Katil assemblyman from Amanah, rejected Ahmad's claim that senior DAP leaders refused honorary titles because they did not recognise or submit to the institution of the Malay Rulers.
He said several DAP leaders had received titles and honours during PH's administration, including members of the party's top leadership.
“I consider that statement slanderous and intended to discredit PH. During PH's time in government, several DAP leaders holding positions received titles and honours, including DAP's top leadership, with Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang also having received a title.
“If we look at Umno's own leaders, some, including Khairy Jamaluddin, do not hold any titles.
“In Melaka, the late Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, who was widely admired, also received his title posthumously. Therefore, I maintain that the statement is an attempt to discredit PH,” he said at PH's daily press conference today.
On Nov 10, Ahmad alleged that senior DAP leaders, including secretary-general Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and former Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, refused honorary titles because they did not recognise or submit to the Malay Rulers.
Speaking during an election campaign in Kampung Lendu Dalam, Ahmad also highlighted ideological differences between Umno and DAP over the concept of a secular state and the position of Islam under the Federal Constitution.
He urged voters to consider DAP's influence within PH.
In 2023, Loke had explained that DAP's policy prohibited elected representatives from accepting honorary titles while holding office, but allowed them to accept such recognition after retiring from politics.