PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lambasted his opponent who had frequently called him “useless” throughout the six-state election campaign.
In a ceramah in Kuala Terengganu last night (Aug 9) Anwar listed the flaws of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) , as well as its attempt to whitewash its checkered record by playing up Malay nationalist sentiments.
Recall that PN component parties, namely PAS and Bersatu, had come to power through the infamous ‘Sheraton Move’ in February 2020 which brought down the first Pakatan Harapan government.
“Among these failures was the decision not to fund the refurbishment and repair of quarters and equipment for police personnel involved in Eastern Sabah Security Command.
“The PN government had also increased special lottery draws to 22 times a year even though they tout themselves as being pro-Islam.
“The police and armed forces had asked for RM40mil but then PN prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin replied and said there was no money. But then he spent RM40mil to renovate Seri Perdana,” Anwar said, referring to the prime minister’s official residence.
It was previously reported that in Muhyiddin’s campaign speech in Terengganu, the PN chairman had repeatedly called Anwar “stupid” and accused him of not “doing anything for the public” after he was sworn in as prime minister in November last year.
In response, Anwar said he got the same RM40 mil applications from the police and armed forces and authorised it after verifying the amount required with the Defence and Home Ministries.
“They (PN) said they were already planning to do it but did not have time. They had three years to do it and they didn’t do it. I did it in six months.
“Despite PAS’ Islamist credentials, it still failed to reduce gambling when it was in power. When I was the opposition leader, I questioned them in parliament and PAS said it was not their decision.
“But you are in government. If they were still in government, there would still be 22 special draws,” Anwar said.
Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said he can forgive the individuals who beat him up and those who hurled accusations against him, but he will not compromise with any party that steals the country’s resources.
Anwar reiterated that any party found to have committed the offense will be subject to action according to existing laws.
“I went to prison in total for almost 11 years and I already said I forgive (those who beat me up and threw accusations at me).
“I forgive them all but what I don’t forgive are people who steal the government’s lands, the people’s lands, and those who stole timber and projects meant to benefit the people. I won’t forgive you if you steal these projects,” Anwar said. – Aug 10, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim
