I THANK PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for his response to the proposal that PAS work together with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unity government to resolve long-standing issues.
I also take note of Tuan Ibrahim’s statement that PAS has no “personal issues (with DAP) but we will stick to our promise made to the rakyat during election campaigning, and we will not lie to the voters by leaving Perikatan Nasional (PN)”.
Firstly, let me clarify that the proposal for cooperation between the Anwar unity government and PAS to resolve the 60-year water problem and the lack of development in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah is my personal idea and not that of DAP as I have not discussed it with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook or any other DAP leaders.
In fact, this is why I declined Loke’s proposal to appoint me as a DAP mentor, as I want to be able to give my personal views and ideas on the current political situation, both national and international, without committing the DAP.
I think my efforts of more than a year have proved this point, and this clarification should put it beyond a shadow of doubt.
Recently, the Community Communication Department (J-KOM) director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff made valid comments about the poor water quality, narrow and potholed roads, and uncollected garbage in Kelantan and it is a gross injustice not only to the people of Kelantan after more than 60 years of nationhood but to Malaysia as a whole that such a deplorable state of affairs as poor water quality, narrow and potholed roads and uncollected garbage should be allowed to continue when they require an instant solution.
I respect the view of Tuan Ibrahim on my proposal, but I think it is imperative to resolve the long-standing problems of poverty and lack of development in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah if Malaysia wants to be a fully developed nation.
I am expressing these as my personal views and not as a DAP solution, as I have retired for more than a year from a front-line DAP leadership position.
I can disagree with Tuan Ibrahim on my proposition, but it is an example that political leaders can disagree agreeably and should not descend to the depths of using lies, falsehoods, fake news and unsubstantiated, unsubstantiable and preposterous allegations against one another. — May 18, 2023
Veteran lawmaker and retired DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is the former MP for Iskandar Puteri.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Wiki Impact
