IT has been a while now that Madani government backers have been trolling Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim for rowing against the tide, the most recent case being for ticking off the government of the day helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Sei Anwar Ibrahim for nurturing crony capitalism via the recently rolled out second 5G network.
Over his latest outburst that PMX continues to pander to legacy crony capitalists from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s era to the extent of fostering a “hybrid system” made up of elite cronies who are basically “untouchable as they are shielded by the 3R law”, PMX has been urged “to boot out” the PKR lawmaker for levelling criticism on the Madani administration.
“It’s inappropriate for the institution prohibited by Article 34(3) of the Federal Constitution” to control a 22.31% equity in the telco which relatively a newcomer,” contended Hassan who is also a lawyer by training in a recent Facebook post.
For the unimitated, Hassan was referring to the shareholding of telco U Mobile Sdn Bhd where apart from ST Telemedia Pte Ltd’s (which is backed by Singapore government’s investment vehicle Temasek Holdings) 49% stake, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia is the second largest shareholder with a 22.31% stake.
“Just ignore him. His party (PKR) can take action against him for making false allegations against the current government leadership,” lambasted a commenter to a news report by Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) on Hassan accusing the Madani government of creating crony capitalism.
Hassan dakwa kerajaan Anwar mula bina kapatalisme kroni#malaysiagazette https://t.co/8Wu8yXn2bT
— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) November 5, 2024
“He’s better off joining @wanfayhsal, @FadhliShaari, @zaidibrahim, @lawyers4liberty, @LatheefaKoya etc 🤣”
The gist is pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters are increasingly seeing Hassan as a liability for his sharp tongue nature in wanting truth to prevail regardless of who the guilty party is.
But to those who know how to appreciate the need for MPs to be outright, honest and truthful as opposed to pursuing blind loyalty to their political parties, Hassan is truly a gem of character or in fact, a rare breed.
Given that the Opposition front tends to be easily swayed by racial and religious rhetoric, Hassan comes in handy as he is able to complement opposition MPs in fulfilling their checks and balance role, especially in preventing the government of the day from becoming too powerful or abusing its power.
Little wonder, a veteran journalist paid tribute to Hassan as such: “👍🏼 I love Hassan Karim. He’s the only voice of reason and honesty in Parliament. The bravest too. No way he’s going senile!” – Nov 7, 2024
