DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng panned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s 100-day tenure in office, calling him an abject failure on many levels.
“This is shown by the Government’s refusal to provide an additional allocation of RM500 mil each to Sabah, Sarawak, Malays and non-Malay communities to ensure a balanced and equitable Budget 2022.
“Plus, the implementation of extremist policies advocated by PAS such as restrictions on gambling, sale of alcohol and beer on non-Muslims has further offended the sensitivities of non-Muslims.
“Such policies have openly disrupted the customary lifestyle and normal business practices of non-Muslims, leading to a sense of being treated as second class citizens,” he said, in a statement.
Three days ago, Ismail Sabri held the 100-Day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) to mark his Government’s 100-day in office, even giving his administration a 90% mark on performance.
“Although the achievement did not meet the 100% target, various programmes have been and will continue to be implemented to safeguard the interests and wellbeing of the people, especially in facing the COVID-19.
“Set aside all bureaucratic red tape. However, certain performances cannot be assessed from studies alone. Therefore, the percentage achieved is not an excuse for us to indulge in chest-thumping but instead should motivate us to continue working with the people with greater determination and commitment,” the Malay Mail Online reported the Bera MP as saying.
However, many panned the score given by Ismail Sabri to his own team, with the event organiser getting slapped with a fine of RM1,000 for flouting COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP).
Touching on the matter, Lim said that Ismail Sabri had lost all credibility after the latter decided to perpetuate “divide and rule” policy by marginalising non-Malay and non-Muslims community, as evidenced in Budget 2022.
Flouting your own rules
He also said that non-Malays were unhappy that the national budget only allocated RM345 mil, or 0.1%, of the total sum to the community despite the latter being a large part of the population.
“No one is objecting to Government programmes to help bumiputera but to do it at the expense of non-bumiputera is contrary to national unity,” he stressed.
Lim also castigated the premier for KLCC event and the unbridled SOP flouting which happened there as people thronged to settle their summonses at discounted rate.
“Even the Malaysia Medical Association(MMA) blamed poor planning and questioned why such discounts cannot be processed online but force the rakyat’s physical presence just to attend the event and expose them to the risk of COVID-19.
“And the penalty of a mere RM1,000 fine to the organisers for breaching the SOPs reeks double-standards when compared to Opposition MPs being fined individually,” the former finance minister added.
Lim remarked: “Every minister and political leaders present in KLCC should be summoned. To avoid scepticism that the 80% discount is offered for the first time to attract crowds to the event, the promotion should be continued for those who pay within a week and allowed to be processed online.” – Dec 12, 2021.
