DAP pushes for Umno's removal from Cabinet over Najib pardon

The Democratic Action Party has escalated pressure on the government by demanding Umno's removal from Cabinet following the recent royal pardon granted to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was convicted in connection with the 1MDB scandal.

Former DAP member and political analyst Ong Kian Ming has echoed the party's concerns, cautioning Umno leadership to exercise restraint given the controversial nature of the pardon. Ong pointed out that the 1MDB financial scandal was instrumental in Umno's electoral defeat in 2018, making the pardon a particularly sensitive issue for the party's political standing.

The development marks a fresh flashpoint in Malaysia's coalition government, threatening the stability of the ruling alliance. The 1MDB scandal, which implicated Najib and resulted in billions of ringgit in alleged misappropriations, remains a contentious issue among Malaysian voters and within government circles.

Umno has not issued an immediate response to the DAP's calls. The controversy underscores the fragility of Malaysia's current political arrangements and the enduring sensitivity surrounding the 1MDB affair among both the general public and within competing political factions.