Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo was referring to a report by news portal Malay Mail Online earlier today which quoted DAP’s newest high-profile member Zaid Ibrahim as saying that there is a “silent agreement among the opposition pact that Dr Mahathir is the current de facto chief”.
“I wish to state clearly here that there is no such silent agreement as alleged. No such thing has ever been discussed nor agreed upon by the Central Executive Committee of DAP,” Gobind said in a statement released shortly after the report was published.
“I find it strange that Zaid has chosen to make such an announcement as a DAP member without first consulting the party leadership. He should know better. It is the CEC which decides on behalf of DAP and there has never been any such decision made.”
In the report, Zaid told MMO that the former prime minister is currently the only leader with the calibre to unite and lead the opposition in the absence of Anwar Ibrahim, who today starts his third year of a five-year prison sentence for sodomy.
“We have a leader. Just that it’s not spoken or proclaimed. But Mahathir is the de facto (leader) and I’m happy with that,” Zaid was quoted as saying.
The opposition pact to which Zaid alluded is believed to be between Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
On Tuesday, Zaid officially joined DAP. He made the announcement at a press conference which was also attended by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and PPBM chairman Mahathir, and Amanah leaders Dzulkefly Ahmad and Khalid Samad.