KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah is going on the offensive against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today as he accuses the prime minister of violating some of his own principles and making questionable decisions purportedly to fit his own interest.
In a series of tweets, the Indera Mahkota MP noted how the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman had gone against some of the promises that he and the coalition had made prior to the general election, since coming into federal power last month.
“Hopefully, we don’t enter a situation where anything can be done as long as the end justifies the means,” he posted this morning.
“After coming into power, (he) only chooses principles which suit himself, spreads propaganda, restricts social media, sues his critics, practises tyranny, and becomes an autocracy.
“May democracy, which means ‘a government of the people, by the people for the people’, does not turn into ‘a government of the PM, by the PM for the PM’.”
Saifuddin, who is a former PKR member before quitting the party in February 2020 during the infamous Sheraton Move to join Bersatu, said Anwar did not do himself any favours by taking on the finance portfolio, going against PH’s promise of not allowing the prime minister to take that on.
To make matters worse, he noted how Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is mired by court charges, was appointed deputy prime minister.
“This is despite Anwar singing the ‘penyamun’ (thieves) song during the election campaign,” said Saifuddin.
In addition, Saifuddin said many politicians who were defeated during last month’s polls were appointed into the cabinet, while accusing Anwar of also flip-flopping on his previous stand to refrain from making any political appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs).
This is ostensibly in reference to the reappointment of Umno’s Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub as Felcra Bhd chairman, two days after the government terminated the services of political appointees on December 15, although it should be pointed out that Jazlan’s appointment has since been postponed.
Anwar also responded on Wednesday to claims that he was against the idea of having any politician appointed into GLCs, clarifying that such appointments would be allowed, subject to the person’s qualifications in the related field.
Claiming the rakyat has been lied to on many occasions, Saifuddin said the recent Padang Serai by-election, which went in favour of Perikatan Nasional, serves as a referendum by the rakyat against the government.
“Heading into the confidence vote on December 19, Anwar has yet to perform as a prime minister. It appears as if he is still the opposition leader, while the actions of several of his cabinet members are also not helpful.”
Additionally, Saifuddin doubled down on claims that the recently inked memorandum of understanding among government parties is unconstitutional.
Specifically, he referred to the condition in the agreement, which stipulates that any MPs who vote against the government shall lose party membership and must vacate their parliamentary seats immediately. – The Vibes, December 23, 2022
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