BARISAN Nasional (BN) need not be bothered by Tony Pua’s remarks against it, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

The BN chairman said he had advised coalition leaders not to respond to the comments.

“It is pointless to respond to such statements as doing so will only give credence to what has been said,” he told reporters at a function in Seremban today.

Pua took a dig at BN in a speech last night.

He said Pakatan Harapan supporters must prove “a multiracial party that is clean and not corrupt” can do better “than corrupt (fronts) like Barisan Nasional, Umno and Bersatu”.

“Whatever said was not the official stand of the (DAP) leadership,” Zahid said.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook this morning sought to distance the party from Pua’s comments.

He said Pua’s remarks were “uncalled for” and do not reflect the party’s position.

Loke said Pua does not hold any position in DAP and was speaking in his personal capacity.

“It does not represent the party leadership. The speech, which was an attack on a partner in the unity government, was uncalled for,” Loke said in a statement.

Loke said the DAP leadership decided to join forces with BN for political stability.

“Any provocative statement about partners in the coalition is not in line with the party’s position and its direction at the current time.

“I would like to remind all DAP leaders and members to maintain harmony in the relationship between parties and coalitions in the unity government for the sake of political stability, which is much needed as the country faces various external challenges,” Loke said. – June 24, 2023.