KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition MPs pushing for the end of the emergency are eager to regain their lost of power at the cost of lives, said PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Hadi, in a statement posted on the Islamist party’s mouthpiece Harakah today, said while there are news on religious extremists, many seem to overlook political extremists in the country.
“Their lust for power is far worse than religious extremists who have detonated bombs and killed a much smaller number (of victims) than the number of lives claimed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has spread all over the world.
“Even developed countries have reached millions of victims (of Covid-19), not just hundreds and thousands, with some recording a large number of deaths.
“There are even countries that do not have enough treatment centres, or health staff and equipment.”
In Malaysia, Hadi said there are now groups that oppose the emergency order brought about by the pandemic.
“It is as though they are not living on Earth anymore.
“Their reasoning is merely a political calculation to regain the power they had lost.”
The Marang MP said political extremists continue to overstep their political boundaries to the point of drowning the economy and security.
“Although economic and security factors are used as reasons (by the political extremists), these matters are just an excuse for them to continue their extreme political passions.
“This is despite the power struggle among themselves,” he said referring to Pakatan Harapan’s fractured relationship with Warisan, Pejuang and Muda, among others.
Hadi’s remark comes after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined Committee for the Cessation of the State of Emergency members to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 20.
However, the delegation – which included committee chairman and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, DAP deputy secretary-general Teresa Kok, and PKR vice-president Tian Chua – was allowed to meet only the Agong’s senior private secretary to pass the memorandum.
However, on April 22, Khalid confirmed that the king has granted an audience to the committee, with a date yet to be set for the meeting. – The Vibes, April 26, 2021