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Rafizi's advice to Harapan gov’t: Less talk, more work
Published:  Aug 11, 2018 6:50 PM
Updated: 11:32 AM

PKR’s Rafizi Ramli has urged the Pakatan Harapan government to rein in its criticisms of its predecessor and instead focus on delivering on its promises to the rakyat.

He said this in an interview with Berita Harian, when asked whether the government was spending too much time criticising the former BN administration over 1MDB, rather than fulfilling its election manifesto.

“Even if you have to reprimand them (BN lawmakers), let it be just 20 percent (of the time). Eighty percent of the time should be focused on our agenda and what the government wants to do.

“I am sure the rakyat will understand that the government has to sort out many things left over by the previous (BN) administration, and they will give the government more time.

“However, if the rakyat sees that the government is doing nothing but focusing on exposés and attacking the opposition, their patience might wear thin,” he was quoted as saying.

He specifically picked out Jelutong MP RSN Rayer (photo) for his recent behaviour in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I am dissatisfied with how the Jelutong MP (RSN Rayer) has been mocking (others) and repeatedly linking 1MDB and (former premier) Najib Abdul Razak (with everything).

Sudah-sudahlah (let it be), Najib has already been charged in court [...] and BN has been punished in the (recent) elections.

“Not every BN leader was involved in 1MDB [...] as normal MPs they were not in the Cabinet,” he said.

“However, (now) every time they debate they are disturbed and mocked. They should be given the opportunity to be a good opposition,” he added.  

Understandable frustration 

Rafizi, a former Pandan MP, nevertheless told the daily that he empathised with Harapan lawmakers’ frustration towards the opposition.

“I understand how ministers and backbenchers in the Dewan Rakyat hate how some of those in the opposition, especially those in BN, act as if they are pure and have nothing to do with the problems left over by the previous government.

“They act as if they are not guilty and this has sparked criticism, sarcasm, attacks and all sorts of exposes,” he added.

Rafizi said he had previously offered his advice to the party’s top leadership but believed it was not taken well, causing some to be dissatisfied with him.

Nevertheless, he said he stuck by his words because he did not want the present government to be like BN, who according to him had forgotten about the rakyat when it was in power.  

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