The Jelutong MP said the alliance between the once bitter rivals was formed due to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s wish for a unity government following a hung Parliament after the 15th general election.

“Umno and DAP used to be rivals but we are now friends. Other parties had also been asked to become part of a unity government but some of them were arrogant and rejected the King’s decree,” he said when debating the King’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat.

Rayer also said he was concerned that some opposition MPs had made statements that could create discontent among the country’s multi-racial and multi-religious communities.

“I respect Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang as an ulama but I was surprised when he said Indians and Chinese in Malaysia were more prone to corruption.”

Last year, Hadi stirred controversy after fingering non-Muslim Malaysians and non-Bumiputeras as the root of corruption.

He also blamed non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras for ruining the country’s politics and economy.