“If Faizal considers the DAP as an enemy in the state government, then he is not fit to be the menteri besar under the Pakatan Harapan government,” Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak said in a statement.
Farhash, who is also the political secretary to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, urged Faizal to apologise for his statement —which he has since claimed was taken out of context — as it could impact PH’s chances in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election.
Earlier today, Faizal denied any rift with DAP, saying a video of him complaining of his “lone battle” was taken out of context and that the video, which went viral on social media, did not record his full remarks.
In the two-minute and 47-second clip, Faizal was seen discussing with a group of people on how he had to face certain DAP factions over several issues, including that concerning Malay land.
He also expressed his gratitude that some “friends in Umno” did not reprimand him in his efforts and that he was on good terms with them.
The video clip also shows PH’s candidate for Tanjung Piai, Karmaine Sardini, and is believed to have been taken on the campaign trail for the Nov 16 by-election.
Farhash called Faizal a “hypocrite” for belittling ministers and prioritising his ties with Umno members. He also accused him of protecting “his corrupt friends from Umno”.
He said the mandate given to the ruling coalition should not be disputed.
“In fact, it is his job to convince the people of the transparency of this pact,” he said.
Perak DAP secretary Wong Kah Woh said Faizal’s remarks were “extremely regrettable and embarrassing”, and demanded an apology from him to the PH presidential council.
“His statement in support of the opposition and, at the same time, discrediting his own PH partner is unacceptable.
“Faizal also shows he lacks integrity as a leader, especially as a PH leader and Perak MB, when he started singing the opposition’s tune. I urge the MB to apologise immediately to the presidential council over the incident,” Wong said in a statement.
Perak PPBM Youth chief Mohd Hafez Mubin Mohd Salleh slammed “certain quarters” for uploading only a part of the entire conversation Faizal had, saying it was intended to sow discord among PH components.
Hafez said the video did not give the full picture.
“This is an old strategy by the opposition to create schisms among component parties, which was also adopted prior to the May 9 polls last year,” he said.