FORMER Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has urged non-Malay voters in Johor to put aside their fears of Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially PAS, ahead of the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections tomorrow (Sept 9).
The Bersatu Supreme Council member pointed out that fear must be shifted instead to the gang of robbers, corrupt individuals, and those who are not honest and sincere in governing the country.
Speaking at the PN Simpang Jeram Grand Finale programme in Muar last night (Sept 7), Azmin stressed that non-Malay voters should look at how the PAS has ruled Kelantan for more than three decades and how the multi-racial community there is able to live harmoniously without the shadow of corruption in the state government leadership hanging over their heads.
“So, to non-Malay voters in Simpang Jeram and Pulai, don’t be afraid of PN or PAS. What we fear are robbers, the corrupt, and those who are not honest and sincere in administering the country,” he told the audience.
“PAS has ruled Kelantan for nearly four decades and Terengganu for three decades. There has not been a single incidence of corruption or abuse of power committed by PN, particularly PAS in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu.
“In Kelantan and Terengganu, Chinese and Indians coexist peacefully, prosperously, and harmoniously. If PN can do this in these two states, the PN candidates in Simpang Jeram and Pulai will undoubtedly stick to their principles and ideals.
“The fight is quite clear: that our policy is to uphold the dignity of all Malaysians.”
Azmin, a former economy minister, asserted that PN has proven itself successful in managing Malaysia despite having to deal with difficult situations such as the COVID-19 outbreak that has ravaged the country in 2020.
He explained that the World Bank’s acknowledgment of Malaysia’s highest ranking in Southeast Asia in dealing with COVID-19 demonstrated the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led coalition’s ability to protect the interests of all races.
Separately, Azmin had also lambasted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, claiming that Anwar had betrayed the principles of his battle by conspiring with and releasing top UMNO leaders involved in corruption.
Azmin, who is also a former Gombak MP, said that Anwar’s action was contrary to what he had fought for before becoming the prime minister.
“Why have the supporters and leaders of Pakatan Harapan (PH) remained silent? Where are the PH supporters, where is Lim Guan Eng, where is Mat Sabu?” the Hulu Kelang assemblyman was reported as saying by NST.
“In the principles of the struggle, there must be principles to adhere to by rejecting corruption and rejecting thieves, but because he wants to be the prime minister, he is willing to sacrifice his principles and struggles. He appointed a corrupt person (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) as his deputy.”
Azmin further added that Anwar was not only not the person he once was but was now willing to accept corruption only to become Prime Minister.
“Before, Anwar taught us to fight corruption, today he embraced corruption. He made a promise to the nation, he made a promise to the people of Johor, and he called us to go to the streets to fight kleptocrats and corruption.
“Today he mingles with the corrupt, (so) we will definitely fight Anwar,” Azmin said. – Sept 8, 2023
Main pic credit: Utusan Malaysia
