KUALA LUMPUR – Differing opinions by PAS leaders’ on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani Aidilfitri open house events show the inconsistency in their stances, said Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung.
Referring to a statement by Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, the PKR lawmaker questioned why he and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor criticised the upcoming open house events for being wasteful and politically motivated.
He said it contradicted statements from fellow party members Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who welcomed the events.
“Why did Terengganu and Kelantan PAS agree (to the open houses), but Kedah and central PAS (leadership) refused (them)?” he asked in a statement.
“Isn’t there an internal party communication channel to resolve differences of opinion?
“Have the conflicting stances from the same party revealed that PAS’ internal differences have become more prominent?” he added.
Lee also criticised the attitude of PN leaders who he alleged have politicised all issues, even the open houses.
He added that it only reflected that there are factions “so thirsty for power that they are afraid of their own shadows”.
The PKR communications director reminded that the unity government’s open house is an official event to celebrate Aidilfitri with the rakyat, to which state government leaders and people of any race are invited.
“Responsible political parties should lower the temperature of politics and instead focus on the issues of people’s lives and the economy,” he said.
“I appeal to my friends, whether from the government or the opposition, to make us successful people in this month full of happiness,” he added.
Anwar’s government will hold the first of six Hari Raya open houses on April 29 in Kedah. The other events are on May 6 in Penang, May 7 in Negri Sembilan, May 12 in Kelantan and May 13 in Terengganu. The final open house will be in Selangor on May 14.
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are under PN’s administration, while Pakatan Harapan runs Negri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor. These states must hold assembly elections before September.
The invitation led to chastises from the opposition, including Sanusi, who said the programmes would involve high costs despite the federal government’s austerity drive and proposed for it to be held just in Putrajaya as usual.
Takiyuddin had meanwhile accused the unity government of exploiting the notion of Islam for political gain. – The Vibes, April 27, 2023
