PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the Opposition must not be blamed should the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government collapse again in a similar fashion to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in 2020.
Rather, such an event would instead be due to the government’s own flaws and weaknesses, the Marang MP told the Dewan Rakyat today (Feb 28).
He further pointed out how the previous PH government under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had side-lined Malay-majority constituencies that are now under Perikatan Nasional (PN) when it was in power although the situation changed when PN took over Putrajaya.
Hadi claimed that the people had then turned to PN in protest against PH’s failure to fulfil the promises that were made in its election manifesto.
“The success in changing the government was not through backdoor means, but because the roof was already leaking and the glass walls have shattered,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today when debating the 2023 Budget.
“After the 15th general election (GE15), PH component parties did not have enough seats and were forced to cooperate with other smaller parties with diseases to ensure sufficient number in the government.
“If you fall again, don’t blame us. It’s not because we placed holes on the roof, but because it was leaking, the doors are ajar and the walls are collapsing.”
Hadi also said parties that cooperated in glass houses should not throw stones to hide their weaknesses.
“This is because their glass walls reveal everything that happens within, they also shatter easily,” he said.
Hadi further noted the current administration must not resort to vindictive measures on civil servants after the PH coalition failed to secure their votes in GE15.
“Credible politicians with integrity must provide justice to all quarters, regardless of religion, race, whether they are supporters or opposition,” he added.
In February 2020, Dr Mahathir resigned as the country’s prime minister following the political manoeuvre known as the Sheraton Move, which led to the collapse of the then PH government. – Feb 28, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
