BANGI – Shouts of “Reformasi!” were replaced with “Perpaduan!” (unity) last night as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi shared a stage to launch their coalitions’ combined election machinery for Selangor.
In doing so, Anwar called on voters in the other states facing elections next month to emulate the “mature” voters of Selangor, which has been under Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) rule since 2008.
“Selangor has proven its political maturity. This state will set a new standard of politics in the country,” Anwar, who is also PH chairman, said at the launch of the PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery for Selangor at Laman Niaga Bandar Baru Bangi last night.
“Tonight, we start a new politics, where two of the country’s strongest coalitions combine forces.
“That’s why we see our opponent so worried; they tried to unseat this government by calling for a no-confidence vote against me, and now they want to use the state elections as a vote of confidence,” the PKR president said in reference to Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said the machinery of PH and BN must campaign hard, set aside differences, and not grumble if they want Selangor to remain under the unity government.
“Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan are PH fortresses, and Kedah was BN’s last time, which we shall win back,” he said to a roaring crowd of PH and BN supporters.
“The other two states, we will fight very, very hard,” he said, referring to Kelantan and Terengganu, which are under PAS’ rule.
The six states will hold the nomination of candidates on July 29 and vote on August 12.
The Selangor machinery launch event last night was punctuated with cries of “Perpaduan!” as each speaker sought to rouse the crowd. “Reformasi”, on the other hand, has been PKR and Anwar’s battle cry since 1998, when he was sacked from the government, jailed, and became an opposition politician.
Zahid, who is Umno president and BN chairman, last night called on the BN machinery to “close the book” on the previous enmity between BN and PH.
“Yes, last time we were opponents. That is an old story, we close that old book and open a new one,” said Zahid, who led Umno in joining the unity government under Anwar after BN’s stunning defeat in the 15th general election last November.
Zahid also rallied support from BN supporters in the crowd by saying, “If we form the government again, we are confident BN will be part of the new Selangor government.”
Anwar, too, sought to dismantle the “anti-DAP” rhetoric rife among some Malays by assuring Umno and BN supporters that in the last eight months under the unity government, DAP had never once opposed the cabinet’s decisions to increase allocations for Islamic activities.
“Was there any resistance from DAP? Actually, DAP has been supportive of all this. When I signed the decision that the government would waive RM8.3 billion of Felda settlers’ loans, a move that would help the Malays, (DAP secretary-general) Anthony Loke also gave his support.”
Anwar reiterated that the Malays in this country will always be assured of their special constitutional position and that there will be no challenge to the national language or to Islam as the religion of the federation.
He also stressed that Malaysia will also support and help any person of another race who feels marginalised.
Anwar also took aim at the religious rhetoric favoured by PN parties such as PAS, which has often equated a vote for the Islamist party with going to heaven and a vote for its enemies with going to hell.
“It’s not your job to say who goes to heaven or hell. You yourself don’t know if you will go to heaven.”
Several cabinet ministers were present on stage at the launch of the PH-BN Selangor election machinery last night, and Anwar showcased them as an example of the unity government’s strength.
Those present included Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also Umno deputy president and BN deputy chairman; Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek; and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Also present were Selangor caretaker menteri besar and state PH chief Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Selangor Umno chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and DAP national deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo. – The Vibes, July 8, 2023
