KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi has shot back at Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, claiming that the latter was simply “scared” of the national-level open house hosted by Putrajaya in six separate states.
Puad said the scheduled events were merely a “public relations” campaign initiated by the unity government to engage with ordinary Malaysians.
A seasoned politician, Puad also admitted that such initiatives were often laced with subtle political campaigning. However, he told Sanusi that such events were normal practices used by politicians to engage with grassroot voters.
“The purpose of an open house is a PR exercise to engage with the masses, neighbours, close friends and relatives. All are welcome.
“That is why elected representatives and even MBs (menteris besar) host open houses. There is always a political element in the event. What is wrong with that?
“In fact, Sanusi can even jump on the bandwagon. He can stand next to the PM (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) from morning till evening to meet and greet all the attendees. The more that show up, the better.
“He (Sanusi) said it is wasteful. If you want to avoid wastages, there is no need to host another open house event where the same people would attend. Now that is wasteful,” said Puad in a Facebook post today.
Puad also advised Sanusi to focus on the actual purpose of an open house – people attend the event to be kind and show gratitude to one another after a month of fasting.
This comes after Putrajaya announced that it will hold open houses in six states including in the Perikatan Nasional-governed states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
The other states are Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Department, the national-level open house programme in Kedah is expected to host some 25,000 guests.
Meanwhile, the other open houses are set to see 15,000 guests at each location.
The open house in Kedah will be held on April 29 at Alor Star’s Raia Hotel from 10am to 2pm with the Home Ministry spearheading the event.
As for the programme in Kelantan, it is scheduled for May 12 at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium from 7pm to 10.30pm.
In Terengganu, the open house will be held on May 13 at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin’s Dewan Al-Muktafi Billah Shah from 7pm to 10.30pm.
The prime minister will attend three more Aidilfitri open houses organised by the state governments in Selangor, Penang, and Negri Sembilan.
These three events are sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Department through the Project Acceleration and Coordination Unit as the main organiser. – The Vibes, April 24, 2023
