AN UMNO leader has slammed Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for his negative reaction to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s address at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday (Sept 22) in New York.
Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi described himself as a “live witness”, having been present in the main assembly hall when Anwar had given his maiden speech.
“I was seated at the VIP section along with Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and Pahang exco Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin,” he said in a statement on Facebook yesterday evening.
“In fact, I was present for three consecutive days from Tuesday to Thursday to listen to the speeches by leaders and heads of state from other countries before PMX’s speech on Friday.”
According to Puad, Anwar had received nine standing ovations for his 15-minute speech, with the prime minister’s introduction alone receiving tremendous applause when he spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war and its severe impact on the world.
“When the Iranian President gave his speech, he held up the Quran, but no one applauded. The American President’s speech also received minimal response from the delegates,” Puad recalled, adding that even the Kiwi minister said she was relieved to be the third person to give her speech after Anwar.
Puad noted that throughout the prime minister’s 15-minute speech, Anwar had touched on current issues involving the Russia-Ukraine war, Palestine, Myanmar, Islamophobia, Malaysia’s low carbon and renewable energy roadmap as well as new forms of racism.
“It is obvious that Sanusi is a slanderer who had even used photos (to illustrate his point) without verifying them first. I have taken many photos (of UNGA) which I will attach (with the post),” Puad said.
“Sanusi is a menteri besar. As I am a live witness, he should be called the country’s number one liar.”
During Sanusi’s speech at Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Ceramah Perdana on the campaign trial for the Pelangai by-election in Dataran Purnama, Simpang Pelangai in Bentong on Friday, he had described Anwar’s address during UNGA as bland and having failed to have grabbed the attention of world leaders.
The PN election director had also said the empty assembly while Anwar delivered Malaysia’s National Statement was embarrassing. – Sept 26, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/DrPuad Zarkashi
