GEORGE TOWN – The Perikatan Nasional government is losing the plot amid the country’s health and economic crises, preoccupied instead with its own survival, said Pejuang after the Sabah Star secretary-general was appointed a deputy minister.
Instead of addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturn, said Pejuang pro tem deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya, PN, misplacing its priorities, made Datuk Guandee Kohoi deputy tourism, arts and culture minister.
He said the pact should stimulate the tourism industry to boost the economy instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on the deputy minister.
“Not disrespecting Guandee, but surely, the priority should be on reviving the tourism sector rather than appointing another deputy minister at a time when there is wide speculation that PN has drained the government’s financial resources in the fight against Covid-19.
Why should we incur wastage? The government should be transparent and work on resolving the problems of the leisure industry instead of placing more burden on public coffers with the appointment of more politicians to positions that may not necessarily aid economic recovery.”
Marzuki told The Vibes that Pejuang is not working with the PN government, but there is room to liaise if the entity – which has yet to be registered as a political party – can aid in the economy’s revival.
“People must understand that partisanship is visible in the country, but, at times, national unity for the sake of the nation’s interests holds sway. In this context, Pejuang can work with anyone who has a similar agenda.”
Its founder, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, advocates the entity’s struggle, but he is also a leader who places Malaysia’s interests above political aspirations, said Marzuki, adding that Pejuang will not back any agenda that supports PN’s political interests.
In another development, PAS central committee member Datuk Awang Hashim said his party is open to the possibility of Amanah members rejoining it en bloc, on one condition: sever ties with DAP.
Speaking to the media at a breaking-of-fast event he hosted recently, the Pendang MP said PAS members are open to welcoming their former comrades once more, but the latter group has to first cut ties with the Chinese-based party.
The main reason former PAS leaders set up Amanah was because they lost in PAS polls and wanted positions to further their political career, he said.
“Without positions, they are lost. So, after losing in the PAS elections, they decided to form their own party.
“It is fine with PAS, and we can welcome them back, provided they sever ties with DAP.” – The Vibes, April 26, 2021
