DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has responded sharply to Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi after the latter said he would rather forgo public office than sit at the same table with DAP.
In a brief Facebook post, Loke mocked the statement and accused Onn Hafiz of displaying arrogance.
‘You don’t want to sit at the same table with DAP. Great! Carry on with the arrogance,’ he wrote.
Loke also pointed out that Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi serves alongside DAP leaders in the federal administration.
‘Your president sits next to the DAP secretary-general every week. Just so you know. Thank you,’ he said, sharing a photograph of himself seated beside Zahid during a Cabinet meeting.
Zahid is the deputy prime minister and Umno president, while Loke serves as transport minister.
Onn Hafiz reiterates anti-DAP position
Loke’s remarks came after Onn Hafiz declared that DAP would not be included in the Johor state administration if Barisan Nasional is returned to power in the upcoming state election.
Speaking during the launch of Johor BN’s election machinery at EduCity Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, the caretaker menteri besar said he would rather be without a position than govern alongside DAP.
He stressed that his position was not motivated by racial considerations or emotions.
According to Onn Hafiz, if BN receives a fresh mandate from voters, it will not form a state government with DAP.
He also rejected claims circulating on social media suggesting that BN and DAP would eventually cooperate in Johor or that the current state administration was unstable.
‘Johoreans are mature. They know how to distinguish between slander and facts,’ he said.
Early election aimed at ensuring stability
Onn Hafiz also defended the decision to hold the Johor state election earlier than scheduled.
He said next year’s calendar would present significant challenges due to the overlap of Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri and the monsoon season.
According to him, global geopolitical uncertainties further strengthen the need for political stability to be secured sooner rather than later.
He urged BN’s election machinery to intensify engagement with voters, particularly younger Malaysians, and to better communicate the coalition’s achievements and policy agenda.
Federal cooperation remains in place
Despite their long history as political rivals, Umno and DAP have been working together under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government since late 2022.
The two parties have also cooperated in several elections following the formation of the federal administration.
The Johor BN election machinery launch was officiated by BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and attended by senior party leaders.
