KUALA LUMPUR – Former PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has engaged in a war of words with allies and supporters of the party, especially DAP’s Syahredzan Johan.
This was after he criticised the Selangor government’s alleged failure to close down factories as the war against Covid-19 rages on in the state.
His squabbles with Pakatan Harapan supporters began after he pointed a question in the direction of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and the state government.
“If Miti (the International Trade and Industry Ministry) gives the approval (to operate) but the state government (through local authorities) revokes licenses, the factories would then need to close right?” Rafizi said on Twitter.
“Why don’t (you) do that? Please enlighten me.”
Kes COVID x turun2, ramai minta tutup operasi kilang.
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) July 11, 2021
Soalan kpd Krjn Selangor & MB @AmirudinShari
Klu MITI bg lesen pelepasan pun tp Krjn Negeri (melalui pihak berkuasa tempatan) tarik balik lesen PBT, kilang kena tutup juga kan?
Knp x buat begitu?
Mohon sekolahkan saya.
Rafizi was referring to a similar action being mooted by the Melaka government.
According to Bernama, Melaka Unity, Community Relations, Manpower and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Ismail Othman said he would recommend the temporary closure of factories that have triggered Covid-19 clusters in the state.
Ismail said the measure would allow all workers to undergo screening or be quarantined if they tested positive.
Some Twitter users asked why Rafizi chose to air his grouses openly when he could have personally contacted Amirudin, but Syahredzan said the Selangor government could not simply act on its own volition.
“We are angry when the (federal) government acts willy-nilly as though there are no laws. But then there are those who ask the state government to do as it wishes,” said Syahredzan, who is a political aide to DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.
In response, Rafizi shared several screenshots of local by-laws, and asked Syahredzan to read the Acts involved first.
“Focus on solutions. If the federal government prevents (the closures), then you get the political mileage for trying. Even that needs to be taught,” Rafizi said.
Baca la Akta dulu.
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) July 11, 2021
Awak tu peguam sebelum nak sindir org.
Focus on solutions. Kalau Kerajaan Pusat sekat, then you get the political mileage for trying. Itu pun nak kena ajar.
Nak tuan loyar baca ni dulu akta ? https://t.co/TrgEDXVJc1 pic.twitter.com/X93gUNAmPq
After several other exchanges, Rafizi posted another tweet asking why DAP and Amirudin’s supporters were defensive when it came to using the state’s power to close factories.
“Are you no longer socialist youth? Have you become a ‘tauke kilang’ (factory owner) youth? If someone else tweets you won’t pay attention, but if I tweet then it’s taken to heart.”
Kenapa budak2 DAP kat Twitter ni defensive sgt tak nak guna kuasa kerajaan negeri utk tutup kilang?
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) July 11, 2021
Lebih2 dari budak2 @AmirudinShari pulak.
Dah tak jadi socialist youth ke? Skrg dah jadi tauke kilang youth?
Klu org lain tweet korang tak layan, aku tweet baru terasa
A Twitter user by the name of HC Lim suggested that both Rafizi and Syahredzan cease pointing fingers at each other and be constructive.
I have no issue about debating this, but I must say that my disappointment is that he is taking this patronising attitude towards me.
— Syahredzan Johan ?シャ (@syahredzan) July 11, 2021
I am not an MP, Adun or local councillor.
I try to be civil in my replies anyway. https://t.co/NoYaAc5yPo
However, Syahredzan noted that he was dismayed by Rafizi’s remarks.
“I have no issue about debating this, but I must say that my disappointment is that he is taking this patronising attitude towards me,” Syahredzan said.
“I am not an MP, adun (assemblyman) or local councillor. I try to be civil in my replies anyway.” – The Vibes, July 11, 2021
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