KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi chided Pas for allegedly trying to weaken the camaraderie among the parties in the unity government.
He pointed out that any contentious statements made by DAP leaders or members would be exploited and used to undermine the government.
"Umno stands as a fortress guarding the interests of Malays, Islam, and the Malay Rulers in the current unity government.
"Umno does not treat religion as a mere tool, unlike Pas," he said in a post on Facebook today.
Although Puad did not give any specific example, he is believed to refer to the proposal by Federal Territories DAP Chairman Tan Kok Wai last Sunday to reintroduce local council elections, with Kuala Lumpur as the first testing ground.
The proposal was rejected by conservative factions within Umno, Pas, and Bersatu, who argued that local government elections would lead to ethnic tensions due to DAP's influence in the elections.
Such concerns were also echoed by Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who reiterated the claim that local council elections would erode Malay political power.
Expanding on his remarks, Puad also criticised Pas Youth chief Afnan Hamimi, stating that Umno is not a 'stepping stone' for DAP in this matter.
"Umno will only support initiatives that align with its policies. That's why it is beneficial for Umno to be part of the unity government," said Puad, dismissing accusations suggesting that Umno serves as a mere stepping stone for DAP.
Such claims, he said, are viewed as attempts to strain relations between DAP and Umno.
Two days ago, it was reported that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, would discuss the proposal to hold local council elections with the Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Dr Zaliha said such discussions would need to determine whether local elections could be held, especially in the federal capital.