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GEORGE TOWN – Calls for Umno to be removed from the Penang state government should not turn into a prolonged political controversy that could undermine the spirit of the Unity Government and political stability.
Political observer Azizi Safar said all parties needed to respect the people’s mandate from the 2023 Penang state election while ensuring that the political cooperation formed after the election was carried out responsibly.
He said Umno-BN had contested six seats in the state election as a Pakatan Harapan (PH) partner, in line with the spirit of the Unity Government at the Federal level.
“Differences of opinion within a political coalition are normal, but they should not override the interests of government stability and the people’s wellbeing.
“Umno should also not be made a ‘punching bag’ to resolve or conceal differences of opinion and internal party dynamics,” he said when contacted on Thursday.
He was commenting on the latest call by DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng for Umno to be removed from the Penang state government.
Lim said Umno no longer had a role to play in the state government and could affect public perception of the Penang PH leadership following allegations that the party had become increasingly active in working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pas in the state administration.
Elaborating, Azizi said the political cooperation established at the state level should be viewed within the context of the people’s mandate and administrative stability, rather than becoming the subject of a continuing political controversy.
He said this was particularly relevant given that the Penang PH leadership had previously decided to continue its cooperation with BN and Umno in the state administration.
“In this context, the question that should be asked is why Umno continues to be targeted when the Penang state government leadership itself has shown its willingness to maintain cooperation in the administration,” he said.
Azizi added that a cautious approach should also be taken when assessing developments at the Federal level following Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call for BN to be removed from the Unity Government.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself did not rush to accept the challenge.
“The cautious approach and emphasis on stability shown by the Federal Government leadership should serve as a reference for all leaders within the coalition,” he said.
He further said that an open dispute over the position of parties within the government could also create the perception that the people’s mandate was not being respected.
“Political cooperation formed after an election needs to be carried out responsibly and take administrative stability into account.
“If there are differences of opinion, the matter should be discussed through internal channels and agreed mechanisms, rather than being prolonged through public statements that only worsen the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Azizi reminded all leaders, particularly experienced and veteran politicians, to play their part in ensuring that differences of opinion did not override the interests of government stability and the people’s wellbeing.
“All parties need to put the interests of the people and administrative stability first, rather than allowing political differences to continue as an open controversy,” he said.
On Aug 8, Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow announced that the state PH had agreed to retain BN executive councillors in the state government until the next general election, in line with the cooperation agreement reached during the 2023 state election.
