The recent halal certification dispute has not weakened the collaboration or understanding between UMNO and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) within Malaysia’s Unity Government. Despite the disagreement, leaders from both parties have assured that it will not affect their ongoing partnership, particularly with the Mahkota state by-election scheduled for September 28.
Nga Kor Ming, DAP vice-chairman, emphasized that the issue surrounding the halal certification will not jeopardize the cooperation between UMNO and DAP. He expressed confidence that the leadership of both parties will work towards resolving the disagreement between UMNO Youth Leader Datuk Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok.
The most important thing right now is that we remain focused on supporting the Unity Government’s candidate. Although there was a disagreement, it will be settled at the leadership level. Our priority is to ensure a victory for the Unity Government's candidate, regardless of which party the candidate represents. The DAP and our machinery will fully back the candidate and work hard to help secure this win, Nga said during an event at Teluk Intan Hospital, where he inaugurated a new public parking area.
Nga’s comments came in response to concerns over whether the dispute between Dr. Muhamad Akmal and Teresa Kok would impact cooperation between UMNO and DAP in the Mahkota by-election. The Mahkota seat, which is part of the Johor state assembly, is a key battleground, and both parties are expected to mobilize their full resources for the contest.
Barisan Nasional (BN), the political coalition that UMNO belongs to, has already announced Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, UMNO Kluang Youth chief, as their candidate for the by-election. Despite the internal dispute, Nga reiterated that DAP will fully support the candidate from BN as part of the Unity Government's broader cooperation.
The controversy stemmed from a recent incident where Teresa Kok submitted a letter of demand (LOD) to Dr. Muhamad Akmal through her legal representatives, demanding RM25 million in damages. Kok accused Akmal of distorting her statement on the halal certification issue, leading to public misinterpretation. This legal action stirred discussions about the unity between UMNO and DAP, as well as concerns about the potential fallout from such disagreements.
Nga, however, downplayed the impact of the dispute and pointed to recent examples of successful collaboration between UMNO and DAP. He noted that DAP’s win in the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election was made possible, in part, by the active support of UMNO machinery. He emphasized that this by-election serves as an opportunity for DAP to reciprocate that support.
A big thank you to our UMNO friends for their help in the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election. I firmly believe that mutual cooperation is vital for ensuring the stability of both our nation’s economy and political system. This spirit of partnership is something we must maintain as we face future challenges, Nga concluded.
As the Mahkota by-election draws closer, both UMNO and DAP will need to resolve any internal differences to present a united front. With the Unity Government counting on strong performances in these by-elections to bolster its mandate, the stakes remain high for both parties. Regardless of the challenges posed by internal disputes, leaders like Nga Kor Ming are optimistic that their cooperation will prevail, ensuring continued stability within the Unity Government.
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