Politics · Malaysia Bureau
DAP's Guan Eng challenges Umno over Penang government positions
DAP leader Lim Guan Eng has responded to calls from Umno deputy president Zahid Hamidi to expel the party from the Penang state government, reminding Umno of its own high-ranking officials serving in the administration.
LSN Malaysia ·
Lim Guan Eng said the DAP would be prepared to close the door on Umno's participation in the Penang government if that were the party's wish, following Zahid Hamidi's recent remarks challenging the DAP to remove Umno from the state administration.
The DAP secretary-general's statement appeared designed to highlight what he characterized as an inconsistency in Umno's position, noting that the party maintains several officials in senior positions within the Penang government structure.
The exchange reflects ongoing tensions within Malaysia's ruling coalition, where DAP and Umno, despite being coalition partners at the federal level, have experienced friction over power-sharing arrangements in the states. Penang has been under DAP control for several election cycles, though the current administration includes representation from other parties.
Lim's remarks suggest the DAP would not be troubled by severing Umno's involvement in the state government if the Umno leadership persisted with its calls for the DAP's removal. The statement underscores the precarious nature of inter-party relationships within Malaysia's coalition government structures.