KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians should not place their hopes in political parties that are Malay and Muslim in name but not in practice when it comes to addressing poverty and corruption, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a thinly veiled swipe at Islamist party PAS and Umno, the opposition leader said such parties tend to create a system that only benefits an elite group, which breeds corruption.
He said this manifests in acts that destroy the environment, causing people to suffer.
“Hill slopes are levelled in the name of (being) Malay and Islamic, and yet we say ‘Allahuakbar’ (god is great),” the PKR president said when addressing Wanita PKR’s convention in Batu Kawan, Penang, today. His speech was broadcast on Facebook Live.
“If we only take care of the spiritual (side) and pray five times a day while donning a hijab but allow all forms of greed to decimate hillsides and steal timber, it does not guarantee balance or equilibrium.”
He said PKR is different from Malay-Muslim parties as while it still defends the position of the Malay rulers, national language, and the status of Malays and Islam, it also gives attention to all races when dealing with poverty.
“That is what sets us apart from them (Malay-Muslim) parties. We make no apologies. We remain committed to champion the cause of all Malaysians irrespective of race or their religious beliefs.”
He said even though PKR has been painted in a bad light in rural areas, the party will continue to stand for justice and equality. – The Vibes, September 25, 2022
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