ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno has expressed dismay with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke's dismissive comments about former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's recent apology over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Kedah Umno information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said Loke's remarks were cynical.
He said Loke should have remained silent and respected Najib's right to apologise sincerely.
He urged DAP to avoid "stirring the pot", reminding the party that it should maintain harmony in the unity government.
"We understand that the DAP secretary-general may be trying to maintain the core voter base amid accusations about the 14th General Election (GE14), but we have a bigger agenda at hand.
"Umno has every right to speak out on the injustices our former president is facing, part of a former prime minister's political vendetta that has led to selective prosecution of several Umno leaders," he said today.
Shaiful advised DAP leaders to look ahead and value Umno's goodwill, reminding the party of the sacrifices made to form a stable government for the people.
"Don't forget that Umno has refrained from commenting on ongoing court cases involving leaders from Pakatan Harapan, including DAP members."
He said Najib had a right to defend himself and Umno also had the right to stand by its former president.
"We respect the court's decisions, but no one should attempt to throw stones while living in a glass house."
Yesterday, Loke said Najib's 1MDB apology "means nothing" as it could not undo his criminal conviction.
He said whether an apology was accepted or not was irrelevant as a crime remained a crime and Najib had already been convicted.