In a posting on his personal Facebook page today, the Petaling Jaya Utara MP said: “Sometimes you wonder what type of friends you have. When they are in a crisis, you back them to the hilt, come what may.

“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 their decision before they bother talking to us. With friends like this….”

Although Pua did not mention names, he is thought to be alluding to DAP’s ally PKR in PH, which announced yesterday that they are still not convinced of any valid reason to conduct snap elections in Penang.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the decision was arrived at after a comprehensive meeting that also took into account the opinions of civil society groups. She added that PKR would send a delegation to the DAP leadership to explain their stand.

Pua’s reference to helping “friends in crisis” is also believed to allude to DAP standing by PKR throughout the “Kajang move” and the Selangor Menteri Besar crisis in 2014.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is bent on holding state elections, aimed at gaining a fresh mandate for his administration, amid his corruption scandal.

Lim had said yesterday that Amanah, the third ally in PH, supported the move, but that PKR was against it, despite several discussions having been held between DAP and PKR leaders to resolve the matter.