KUALA LUMPUR – DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today voiced his party’s rejection over Putrajaya’s intention to revive the propaganda unit Special Affairs Department (Jasa) that was tabled in the Budget 2021.
The Bagan lawmaker told the Dewan Rakyat during the debate session for the Supply Bill 2021 that Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s budget will not receive his support if the allocation for Jasa is not removed.
“Don’t play politics by establishing Jasa with (an allocation of) RM85.5 million. This must be rejected. We are ready to reject the allocation for Jasa so it won’t pass.
“I was shocked to learn that the communications and multimedia minister didn’t realise there was such a big allocation (for Jasa) but his deputy knew about it. If they are not on the same page, they should switch roles because it seems that the deputy has more power,” said Lim.
He added that the budget should focus on the people and unity in the time of the Covid-19 crisis that has led to multiple other crises, including the economy and education.
Later, when he had the floor, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu echoed Lim and DAP’s sentiment on rejecting Jasa.
The Kota Raja MP said he recalled how the Sheraton move began – which was with the whispers that a Malay-Muslim government without DAP should be formed and how before the move occurred – racial issues was being played up.
“With an allocation of RM85.5 million, the work to play up racial tension will become stronger. And our work to create harmony will be affected.
“We cannot allow what has happened in the US to happen here – where racial tension triggered chaos in their major cities. So, I believe that the allocation for Jasa will be used to defend the ruling party on racial issues and it must be struck out from this budget,” said Mohamad. – The Vibes, November 10, 2020
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