DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming has denied promising to resign as housing and local government minister if Barisan Nasional secured a convincing victory in the Johor state election.
According to FMT, Nga said his resignation pledge was tied to the possible release of former prime minister Najib Razak, not BN’s election performance.
Says his remarks were misunderstood
Nga clarified that the remarks he made during an interview with Oriental Daily were about what he would do if Najib was released without serving the entirety of his sentence in the SRC International case.
He said freeing Najib despite his conviction would damage the credibility of Malaysia’s judicial system and undermine the principle of rule of law.
Nga also claimed that Najib had caused Malaysians to bear RM51.4 billion in debt linked to 1MDB.
He said that if Najib were freed under such circumstances, he would resign from the Cabinet to defend the integrity of the country’s judicial system.
“This is not a personal matter but a matter of principle,” Nga said, adding that he would continue to stand by his position.
Congratulates BN on its victory
Nga nevertheless congratulated BN on its landslide victory in Johor.
He said the two thirds majority secured by the coalition came with a heavy responsibility that must be carried out with integrity.
Despite Pakatan Harapan’s defeat, Nga expressed confidence that the coalition could eventually make a comeback in the state.
“Although we did not win this time, there is always tomorrow,” he said.
Akmal offered to draft his resignation letter
Earlier on July 12, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh called on Nga to fulfil what he described as an earlier promise to resign.
Akmal also sarcastically offered to help the DAP leader write his resignation letter following BN’s decisive election victory.
Nga, however, maintained that his pledge was not triggered by BN winning the Johor election.
He said the pledge would only apply if Najib was released before completing his sentence.
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