DAP Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin’s remark describing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s failed bid for house arrest as “worth celebrating” has sparked strong backlash from Umno leaders, with Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urging her to “stop adding fuel to the fire.”
In a Facebook post today, Ahmad Zahid did not name Yeo directly but wrote: “Do not pour oil onto a raging fire.”
Higher Education Minister and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadi also criticised Yeo’s comment, saying it was inappropriate to take pleasure in another person’s suffering.
Earlier, Yeo had shared a news report on Facebook about the High Court dismissing Najib’s judicial review application for house arrest, commenting that it was “another reason worth celebrating at the end of the year.”
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said it may be time to reassess cooperation with parties that fail to appreciate Umno’s contributions. He described Yeo’s remarks as rude and cruel, adding that if she did not wish to comment on the case, there was no need to make such an offensive statement.
Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh openly called on the party to withdraw its support for the current government, saying Umno should rather be a dignified opposition than remain in a government where it is humiliated by its allies. He said DAP’s celebratory post amounted to a public insult to Umno and questioned how much longer the party should tolerate such treatment.
Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias also condemned Yeo’s remarks, bluntly telling her to “keep quiet,” and said her comments reflected poor manners and arrogance.
In addition, Jerantut Umno deputy division chief Rozlan criticised DAP leaders for inflaming the situation, saying their hostility towards Najib appeared deeply ingrained. Rozlan, who served as a senior official during Najib’s tenure as prime minister, said such attitudes were unsurprising and likely shared by many others.
“Why rejoice in another person’s hardship while displaying such deeply rooted chauvinistic thinking?” he asked.
