PETALING Jaya: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has responded to Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi's claim about not receiving invitations to several Transport Ministry events in the past three years.
In a Facebook post, Loke, who is also the transport minister, listed multiple events the Johor leader had attended through the years, including the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project between Johor Bahru and Singapore, the electric train service to Johor Bahru, and the opening of the new Kluang KTM station.
Loke noted that there were other transport ministry events where the state government sent a representative instead, and even one where an invitation was sent but no representative appeared.
"I understand, it gets busy during election season, so there are things you might have forgotten," the Seremban MP said. "Nonetheless, the invitation for the launch of the new KTM Komuter Selatan train service will be sent as soon as possible. See you in Kulai on Tuesday. We will also be inviting you to give a speech."
The exchange comes amid rising political tensions ahead of the Johor state election, with polling day set for July 11. Onn Hafiz had earlier stated that he would rather not hold the menteri besar's post than sit at the same table and work with DAP in the state government.
Loke addressed that remark, pointing out that he sits next to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Cabinet meetings, signifying the close cooperation between DAP and Umno at the federal level despite their rivalry at the state level.
On Friday, Loke extended an invitation to Onn Hafiz to join him on a train ride to mark the launch of KTM Komuter Selatan's service from Kulai to Johor Bahru. Onn Hafiz responded by saying he was willing to attend but had yet to receive a formal invitation, noting that his administration was "finally being invited although the event was planned more than a week ago."
The Johor Barisan Nasional chief went on to list several ministry events from 2023 to 2025 that neither he nor the relevant state executive councillor had been invited to.
The election is expected to test how PH and BN manage federal cooperation while competing at state level.
The Election Commission has set July 11 as polling day for Johor, with nominations on June 27 and early voting on July 7.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today, Bernama, Election Commission, Loke Siew Fook Facebook
