IN a recent address at Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Grand Finale ceramah session in Simpang Jeram, Muar, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man expressed his views on the long-standing Reformasi movement in Malaysia.
He contended that the movement which spanned over two decades, had consumed considerable time and energy but yielded little in terms of national progress. Instead, Tuan Ibrahim suggested that personal interests had overshadowed the movement’s original goals.
“How many voters have been cheated by leaders who made empty promises? We were involved in the reformasi movement, we got tear gassed and arrested. How many of us spent time and energy taking to the streets?” Tuan Ibrahim said in his speech last night (Sept 7).
While the Kubang Kerian MP did not mention specific individuals, his remarks were widely interpreted as referencing the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.
PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim denied any involvement in the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to withdraw all 47 charges against the UMNO president, asserting that the attorney-general had made the decision independently.
Moreover, Tuan Ibrahim alleged that the process leading to the withdrawal of charges against Zahid was initiated by the removal of prominent UMNO leaders before the previous year’s general election.
“In Perlis, Shahidan Kassim was removed, in Selangor, Tan Sri Noh Omar was sidelined. Why? Because UMNO shouldn’t win bigger (more seats) than Pakatan Harapan (PH), only then will Anwar become PM. If PN wins big, former premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob would have become PM,” he claimed.
Furthermore, Tuan Ibrahim argued that these actions were taken to prevent UMNO from securing more seats than PH, thereby facilitating Anwar’s ascent to the PM’s position.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nassuruddin Daud who was also present at the event, urged voters to choose leaders who are free from corruption rather than those who support corrupt individuals. He encouraged voters in the Simpang Jeram state constituency and Pulai parliamentary constituency to support PN candidates to send a clear message to UMNO-Barisan Nasional.
Nassuruddin referenced UMNO’s poor performance in previous state elections, particularly in Kelantan, where they won only one out of 45 state seats. He suggested that voters should back PN to demonstrate their preference for corruption-free leadership.
At the same event, PN Selangor chairperson Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali criticised Anwar’s Reformasi movement, dubbing it as “reformati” (dead reforms).
Azmin accused Anwar of using reforms as a facade without making substantial efforts to revitalise the country’s economy or improve the people’s well-being.
“What you need to fear are robbers, the corrupt, and leaders who are insincere in leading the country and its people,” the former minister said.
The Election Commission has scheduled polling day for both the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections for tomorrow (Sept 9). These elections were necessitated by the passing of Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub. – Sept 8, 2023
