Following is an article published by The Malay Mail Online complete with responses by TTF (in blue):
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP’s Liew Chin Tong has urged Malaysians not to jump to conclusions with regards to a claim that 40 Umno MPs may join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and by extension Pakatan Harapan.
TTF: Actually, it is strange that you should be the one to speak on behalf of Kadir Jasin, considering that he is the one who made the claim, not you.
Unless you’re dead sure he spoke the truth or discussed the matter first with him, it is he who should be asking people not to jump to conclusions, not you.
Take note, that this is not me supporting Jasin or saying that it was wrong for you to caution the people.
This is me saying that you should have asked Jasin to clarify the matter himself given that PPBM did not discuss the defection of UMNO MPs first with the DAP or the Pakatan leadership.
The DAP strategist acknowledged the fact that the prospect of so many Umno MPs joining PH has caused much anxiety among the coalition’s supporters, and concern that it may turn into another version of Umno.
TTF: That’s not what’s happening.
Clearly, you haven’t the faintest idea what’s going on.
Liew revealed that he had met with the PPBM Supreme Council member who made the claim, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin, together with DAP leader Wan Hamidi Hamid this morning.
“However Kadir, as the veteran newsman and political strategist, doesn’t write things for fun. He is careful to state that even if those Umno MPs desire to join Bersatu, it doesn’t mean that Bersatu will accept them blindly,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
TTF: So what’s the conclusion?
If indeed Jasin had indicated that in his claim, why the need to ask people not to jump to conclusions?
Were you trying to say that “people shouldn’t assume anything other than what Jasin stated in his claim?”
Are you vouching for Jasin by saying that he spoke the truth?
If so, how do you explain the fact that PPBM did not discuss the defection of UMNO MPs first with the DAP or the Pakatan leadership?
Is it not true that the DAP instigated the MCA all this while by accusing UMNO of entering “backdoor deals”with PAS?
What does the DAP have to say now that PPBM seems to be doing the exact same thing with UMNO MPs?
Liew pointed out that PH’s formation and its victory over Barisan Nasional in GE14 was because leaders like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Mohamad Sabu had decided to put aside differences and work together.
TTF: You actually believed that?
You’re more stupid than I thought you were.
Such a “grand realignment”, he said was also facilitated by “lots of coffee and tea sessions” as well as numerous meetings involving second-tier leaders like himself and Kadir.
TTF: I think they spiked your coffee with vodka…
“For me, whatever things said among ourselves, let’s not jump to any conclusion. I’m sure we know better than to just read news headlines.
“If we want the people not to be jumpy when reading sensational news headlines, leaders have to articulate thoughts before sharing their views. More importantly, let’s build trust among leaders and between communities.”
TFF: So it’s confirmed then – you haven’t the faintest idea what’s going on.
Yesterday, PPBM’s Kadir claimed that there is a possibility of up to 40 Umno MPs jumping ship to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
The PPBM Supreme Council member said the MPs have been meeting party chairman Dr Mahathir and president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to discuss the matter, but no decision has been reached.
TTF: True, although the number is not 40.
Kadir also confirmed that the matter was discussed among the party during its leadership meeting on Friday night.
Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed had joined PPBM last night right after the meeting.
Source: The Malay Mail Online
