IPOH – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s move to dissolve Parliament and hold early general elections this year was done to “save the thieves”, former defence minister Mohamad Sabu said.
The Amanah president, also known as Mat Sabu, said all of Malaysia’s previous prime ministers would call for an election with the aim of furthering their agendas of economic development or social progress.
However, under the leadership of Ismail Sabri, the nation is now facing an election with the sole aim of preventing Umno leaders from being thrown into jail, Mohamad said during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Convention here last night.
“Who said that? The president of Umno himself!” Mohamad said to thunderous applause from an audience of over 7,000.
The incumbent Kota Raja MP was referring to a recent speech by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who warned fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders of selective prosecution should PH win in GE15.
“If we fail (to win the election)... I’m not the only one that will be charged, Tok Mat (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), you are on the waiting list,” Zahid said at a MIC Congress meeting last week.
Zahid himself is on trial for corruption involving funds from a charity foundation, while his acquittal for another graft case involving kickbacks is pending an appeal by the prosecution.
The Amanah president also warned of the consequences should BN return to power on November 19, when polling will be held.
Recounting his brief stint in the PH cabinet between 2018 and 2020, Mohamad described the sacrifices made by Malaysia’s security forces.
“I have seen firsthand, our security forces on standby. Arms at the ready, giving their all to protect our nation, and yet they (Umno leaders) steal from our military,” he said, referring to the littoral combat ship scandal.
The LCS debacle surfaced following a report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which found gross mismanagement in the procurement of six LCS for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Despite the LCS project having begun in 2011, not a single vessel has been delivered.
Meanwhile, Mohamad also highlighted the importance of addressing leakages in government expenditure.
Explaining that a government should help people such as farmers facing high costs or fishermen unable to go to sea because of the weather, Mohamad said, “How can we help them with no money?” – The Vibes, October 21, 2022
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