KUALA LUMPUR: A Gerakan leader today claimed that leaders of Pakatan Harapan (PH), particularly those from DAP, have turned into 'mute puppets' in response to the Pardons Board decision on Datuk Seri Najib Razak's sentence.
Its secretary-general Loh Kah Yong in a statement today said such behaviour was embarrassing considering that PH had used the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue as their campaign material during the 2018 and 2022 general elections (GE).
He also said that DAP had made a u-turn out of the party's original stance in combatting corruption due to fear of losing their positions.
"I would like to advise DAP not to be vocal only when in opposition but to remain silent when in government and holding positions. Such behaviour is very embarrassing, especially as leaders of PH and DAP were among those who started using the 1MDB issue as well as the kleptocracy label for the GE campaigns in 2018 and 2022.
"Where are the loud voices of Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang? Has the latter forgotten the password to his blog?
"(Also) where is the stance of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke who urged the grassroots to calm down and not to criticise the pardon? This is extremely embarrassing," he said.
Loh also questioned the investigation being made towards DAP senior leader Tony Pua's alleged seditious remarks over the Pardons Board's decision.
"The Sedition Act has now been reintroduced by the government against political opponents, (and) this matter is extremely serious because it happened under the PH-led government.
"When they were the opposition, they condemned the Act as oppressive and insulting to freedom of speech.
"However, they do not hesitate to use it against the people when they are the government."
On Feb 2, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib's prison sentence from 12 to six years and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
Following this, Pua took to Facebook to criticise the board's decision and shared a series of cryptic messages on his account, including one that read, "I beg your pardon?"
The post also saw him being summoned to Bukit Aman following an alleged derogatory statement towards the Royal Institution.