PAS Youth’s reaction to Agong’s reminder: “It’s the Madani gov’t that’s playing politics, not us”

PAS Youth has taken a swipe at the unity government by alleging that it is the latter which “is playing politics”, hence running afoul of what was decreed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar when His Majesty graced the first parliamentary meeting of 2024 (which also happens to be the Johor ruler’s maiden parliamentary duty).

For a start, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi wants political action against civil servants who are supposedly not in line with the aspirations of the Madani government to be stopped immediately.

“For example, the action of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister who fired a high-ranking officer recently. Also stop the ‘political game’ with the states under the PN (Perikatan Nasional) administration,” Afnan who is also the Alor Setar MP penned on his Facebook page.

“Moreover, there has been an unwritten instruction for federal agency officials in PN states for them not to be involved in official state government meetings and events. Such is a political action that is detrimental to all parties including the Madani government itself.”

For the uninitiated, Sultan Ibrahim in his maiden royal address has advised lawmakers to cease plans to oust the unity government outside of elections but instead to focus their energy on the betterment of their constituents.

The Johor ruler went on to state that he would not brook any attempts to trigger a premature change of government that could de-stabilise the country. “Everyone must accept the formation of the national unity government. Those keen on playing politics should wait for the next election,” he further asserted.

Afnan who was recently appointed as the PN Youth chief also reminded Madani government MPs against “playing politics by freely going in and out to campaign at schools and tertiary institutions” while opposition MPs “are blocked and prevented from being invited to schools and higher learning institutions”.

The son of the former National Mosque grand imam Datuk Taib Azamudden Md Taib also urged the Madani government “to cease playing politics with opposition MPs by blocking their allocations”.

Afnan Hamimi (right) with his wife Najibatulhuda Abdul Raman

“If you want to get an allocation, you have to support PMX (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Amwar Ibrahim) first as done by some MPs (six Bersatu lawmakers who had pledged support for PMX). On the contrary, PAS-ruled Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis (except Terengganu which doesn’t have opposition) provide allocations to their opposition assemblymen,” argued Afnan.

Elsewhere, Afnan who is also the first Alor Setar MP of Malay ethnicity also chided the unity government for “playing politics in critical matters such as the Beras Madani issue which is seen to be unclear and confused”.

“The same applies to the issues of the falling ringgit and rising cost of living. Answer them professionally. Fulfill all the promises made before. Don’t answer as if you’re on the political stage. You are the government, not the opposition. Don’t politicise everything.”

Added Afnan: “If all the main and critical issues can be resolved; if the Madani government fulfills all its promises; if opposition MPs are treated equally; if the four PN-ruled states are facilitated with development projects, there shouldn’t be any problem for the current government to continue to govern until GE16 (16th General Election)”. – Feb 27, 2024

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