PAS Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa has called on Pakatan Rakyat to close ranks and not to be distracted off from the country’s main problems, such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal and the plummeting ringgit.

 

“In recent times our country has been besieged by issues that are drawing attention away from the true problems that threaten the country’s economic stability,” warned Mujahid, who also heads the anti-racism NGO Gerakan Anti Perkauman (Gap).

 

In a joint statement with nine other activists and opposition politicians, the PAS leader said Pakatan needed to stay “focused” on “saving the country”.

 

“Parties in Pakatan that have raised aspirations for political change should really focus on the promises in their manifesto to honour the trust they have received from the voters,” the Gap chairperson said in a statement today.

The Parit Buntar MP said those who want the country to be “saved” should not drag it to problems which only try to draw attention from other critical issues.  

“Political leaders from all parties should sit together and discuss how to salvage the country’s finances, which involves the rakyat’s well-being.

“The ruling party should  be ready to take the practical step to open the space for democracy and they must also stop threatening the rakyat with racial and religious issues to hide their weaknesses,” he said.

Mujahid's co-signees included DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming and Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, besides activists Tamrin Ghaffar, Vigneswaran, Edwin Agong, Zharif Badrul, Patrict Sibat , Sherab Wong and Dyana Sofya.

 

On Tuesday, PKR accused Kelantan PAS of trying to distract public attention from growing public dissent within Umno against its president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his 1MDB project by calling for an emergency state sitting on hudud.

Constant thorn in the side

 

PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya asked what urgency was there for PAS to push forward an issue, which has been a constant thorn in the side for Pakatan, at a time when Umno was facing its biggest obstacle.

Meanwhile, Mujahid said it was time for Malaysians to witness mature politics so that efforts to develop the country and to save the country’s finances will be prioritised.

“Therefore, an emergency Parliament session should be held to find the best solutions to save the country’s finances and to also to form an independent commission to do a detailed report on those who have misused the country’s funds,” he said.