SHAH ALAM – The political “green wave” witnessed in northern and east coast states during the recent general election will be short-lived, Rafizi Ramli said today when expressing his confidence that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will retain Selangor “in style” when the state enters polling this year.
Speaking at the Selangor PKR election convention today, the party deputy president said while he acknowledged the concerns shared by certain members over the inroads made by PAS, this is something that they should not be worried about.
“Based on my experience in Pandan, and if we look at social media, these PAS people’s confidence level is even higher than the French football team.
“They don’t have that much skill and strength, but the way they conduct themselves is as though they will take over Malaysia.
“I understand your feelings after looking at the wave in the north. I understand you are worried about Selangor, but my personal opinion is that I think we will be able to defend Selangor in style,” he said when addressing delegates at the state PKR election convention, here, today.
Rafizi said Pakatan Harapan (PH) should not face any major challenge in retaining Selangor, looking at its past performance.
He noted that in 2018, even when there were multi-cornered fights in the state consisting Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS, PH still managed to secure 51 of the 56 seats.
“This is why I feel the green wave that PAS is carrying to Selangor is merely a ripple of the water in a small cup. Don’t worry.”
The key to securing a handsome victory in Selangor, according to Rafizi, is for PKR to continue operating its groundwork and campaigning as though the party is still in the opposition.
This includes when party leaders conduct ground visits, he said, advising them not to place too many protocols that push the rakyat away.
“If we can show in the next four to five months that despite being part of the federal government, we have not derailed from our ways, then fret not, I think everything will go smoothly in Selangor.
“For the time being, let PAS enjoy themselves. But if everything goes to plan, then this green wave will subside slowly.”
Responding to naysayers criticising the government for supposedly not bringing any positive development since coming to federal power, Rafizi, who is economy minister, said it is unfair to pass judgement after just over a month in administration.
“Are you crazy, expecting changes in just a month? What about the PAS ministers who were in power for years? You didn’t make noise then (when they didn't bring changes).”
Commenting further, the Pandan MP said the lack of visible development is due to the government focusing its efforts on planning at the ministerial levels in the earlier days of power.
Results, he assured, can be expected within the coming months.
“God-willing, we will handle the economic situation well...that’s why I said don’t worry. In the months to come, one by one, whatever model they have to criticise us will be resolved.”
PKR axes election petition bid against Muhyiddin
On a separate matter, Rafizi said PKR will not proceed with its earlier plan to file an election petition against Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over racial and religious incitement during the 15th general election (GE15) campaigning period in November.
He said this is because the party wishes to focus all its attention on managing the economy and preparing for the upcoming state elections.
“I don’t want to drag the party’s resources and leadership’s focus on something that happened in the last election.
“I also don’t want to prolong this issue of his racial speech, as this will leave more room for the propagation of such racial polemics.
“I think we want to focus on managing, and let our performance in the government speak for itself.”
Rafizi said for the impending state elections, the party will instead lodge reports to the Election Commission immediately if there are any instances of misconduct, including violating election rules that outlaw speeches with racial and religious sentiments.
Previously, on the eve of GE15, Rafizi had told a press conference that PKR intends to file an election petition against Muhyiddin, if the latter wins in Pagoh, over a speech he had made in a ceramah suggesting that Christians are working in concert with a group of Jews to promote and “Christianise” Malaysia.
This is in reference to a viral clip of Muhyiddin urging the rakyat not to vote for PH for such reasons.
Rafizi had said that the remark violates Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954, which prohibits, among other things, the promotion of feelings of ill-will, discontent or hostility between individuals of other races. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
