THE United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) has fully endorsed the call by the Coalition of Free and Fair Election (BERSIH) and civil society organisations for the implementation of “100% Reform Now”.
The party’s interim council chairman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy contended that it has become obvious that the present unity government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim cannot be taken for granted in bringing about much needed reforms that were promised prior to the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 19, 2022.
“What is worse is that corruption is being condoned by the present government without any regard for justice and fair play,” he told FocusM.
“The gift of discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) to UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was a serious slap on the face of the government that promised reforms and all-out war against graft.”
The former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II further insisted the argument that such decision was the discretion of the attorney-general (AG) holds no water as the executive including the PM might have had a role in the decision.
“The partial pardon granted to former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak was another slap on the face of the justice system in the country,” berated Ramasamy who left DAP prior to the Aug 12 six state polls last year.
“The decision to grant partial pardon was on the advice of the executive and not so much the discretionary powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA). Enough is Enough!”
The former three-term Perai state assemblyman went on to claim that the unity government “has taken the public on a long drive without any sight of reforms”.
“In fact, the way things are moving, there might not be reforms at all. Instead, the government is digging in with all kinds of deals to stay in power,” observed Ramasamy who lectured political science at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) from 1981-2005 prior to becoming a full-fledge politician.
“BERSIH and the various civil society organisations must ensure that the powers to be understand the problems faced by the people. Only a massive rally led by BERSIH and civil society organisations might have the intended effect of forcing the government to seriously consider the need for reforms,” reckoned Ramasamy.
“Urimai will not only fully endorse BERSIH’s call for massive rally against the unity government but will get its supporters to take an active part in the rally. The Madani government is big disappointment to Malaysians having been in office for slightly more than year.” – Feb 8, 2024
Main pic credit: Berita Harian
