Zuraida: 'One-term gov't' critics are traitors
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin described as "traitors" detractors who have labelled Pakatan Harapan as a one-term government.
She said before GE14, Harapan leaders only knew "half-truths" about the real situation of the BN government.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin described as "traitors" detractors who have labelled Pakatan Harapan as a one-term government.
She said before GE14, Harapan leaders only knew "half-truths" about the real situation of the BN government.
"Now that we know the other half, we are in the middle of things, we have to see left and right before we make decisions as we want what is best for the people," Zuraida said in Tanjong Tokong, Penang today.
"It is not that we cannot do this or that," she added, referring to Harapan's GE14 manifesto which remains mostly unfulfilled.
"Those who keep saying we are a one-term government are traitors to the country," she said.
Zuraida made the remark during her speech as PKR vice-president at the party's Tanjung, Jelutong and Bagan divisions joint AGM (photo, below).
Critics of the new government had labelled Harapan a one-term wonder due to its shifting policies and reversals of several key policy decisions.
Even DAP senior leader Lim Kit Siang asked if Harapan could still win the GE15 in 2023.
Some quarters are also sore with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for defending controversial foreign preacher Zakir Naik although several police reports have been lodged against the latter accusing him of racism.
Zuraida cited the case of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) which was nearly abolished by Harapan after winning GE14 in May last year.
However, the decision was overturned when Putrajaya said the programme would be reformed rather than abolished outright.
"Yes, Umno has gained much from it so we wanted to shut it down but then we thought of all the poor workers from the kampung who will lose their jobs," she said.
"So we had to find a better solution, we will take time to reform, this decision may not please everyone but it would be the best for all," she said.
She said the government was now led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister.
"I am often told that I do not know Dr Mahathir Mohamad and yes, of course I do not know him. But we are in government now and we must follow whatever decision has been made (by the cabinet)".
Zuraida said it was too early to judge or punish the Harapan government and label it a one-term administration, adding her ministry was rather fast in implementing policies which were ignored by the previous administration.
"We must not judge so soon, we have to defend the government," Zuraida said.
Zuraida also downplayed the latest PAS-Umno collaboration which the two opposition parties said was done for Malay Muslim unity.
Asked if the tie-up would threaten support for the Harapan government, the minister said, "No, as the rakyat on the ground are still multiracial".
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