‘With friends like these…’ Pua says after PKR openly cold on snap polls

(MMO) – The DAP’s Tony Pua took to Facebook today to vent his frustration purportedly over PKR announcing to the press its refusal to support his party’s plan to hold snap polls in Penang.

In an ostensibly upset tone, the DAP publicity chief took a swing at PKR, without naming the party, accusing them of failing to reciprocate the support the DAP gave to PKR when the latter was in crisis.

“Sometimes you wonder what type of friends you have. When they are in a crisis, you backed them to the hilt, come what may,” Pua posted on his personal Facebook page.

“Then at a time where we would appreciate their support, they leak everything to the media first leaving you completely naked. Or announce to the whole world openly before they bother talking to us. With friends like this…” he added.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail issued a statement last night reiterating her party’s scepticism towards the DAP’s rationale for wanting to hold early elections, saying that further discussions were needed.

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, did not wish to comment on the matter when contacted by Malay Mail Online.

When PKR first rejected the proposal for an early state election in Penang, DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his party felt that it should consult with its allies within the Pakatan Harapan pact.

He was quick to stress that this was despite the fact that PKR had previously unilaterally decided to call for the Penanti, Permatang Pauh and Kajang by-elections in previous years.

But PKR refuted the claim and insisted that opposition parties were consulted in the past.

Its communications director Fahmi Fadzil said that DAP’s claim was also “inaccurate” as the party’s previous decisions involved by-elections and seats in which PKR was the incumbent.

Lim was charged with abuse of power and corruption at the Penang High Court last month over the alleged approval of a rezoning application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential, and over his purchase of a RM2.8 million house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon. The house was purportedly bought at below market value of RM4.27 million.